Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and is not expected to be available for Week 8 when Carolina hosts the Buffalo Bills, NFL Network reported Monday.
Young was removed from Sunday’s win over the Jets and head coach Dave Canales said he was concerned about the potential for a long-term absence.
Young was unable to support his body weight with his injured right leg and ankle, but an MRI exam on Monday showed no major structural damage beyond the ankle sprain, according to reports.
Andy Dalton relieved Young in the 13-6 win at New York and will start this week for the Panthers (4-3) against the Bills (4-2).
With running back Chuba Hubbard returning to the Panthers on Sunday after a two-week absence, Canales said the offense is built for a running game, which should benefit the team in the event of an injury-sparked QB change. Rico Dowdle and Hubbard have a combined 799 rushing yards this season.
“It’s running the football,” Canales said of the strength of the offense. “And Andy can handle all those things and the pass game, the reps, the time on task with the group that we have, we’ve got to stay within the core of our system, and Andy’s fully involved in all that. So if he does play, that’ll be the mode.”
Young, 24, left the game after a quarterback sack in the third quarter.
Carolina’s defense helped preserve the victory with two interceptions in the second half by cornerback Jaycee Horn. The Panthers also had six sacks.
Dalton, 38, started five games last season and has appeared in 178 NFL games (168 starts) over 15 seasons. He is 382 passing yards shy of 40,000 for his career.
