Bryce Young is nursing an ankle injury, meaning eyes are turning to Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton. 

Throughout the offseason, Panthers head coach Frank Reich stressed that Dalton wasn't just signed to ride the bench. And after Young's limited participation in recent practices, Dalton may get the nod to start Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks. It is a decision Reich feels, if he has to make it, will yield positive results for the team. 

“If Andy’s the starter, we got a lot of confidence,” he said. “This is why you bring someone like Andy in. Our goal is to put our team in position to win championships. And even despite a tough start—that’s still our vision, that’s still our goal, that’s what we’re working towards.

“And my experience personally, as a player and as a coach, is that your’e gonna need somebody for one game or two or three or somewhere along the line. And you’re gonna need to win those games. And if Andy plays, we believe he gives us a very good chance to win.”

Dalton was signed as someone who can mentor Young as he makes his transition to the NFL and as a locker room stabilizer. 

In Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, Dalton checked into the game in a couple of short-yardage situations, which yielded mixed results. 

“Bryce can do any of it,” Reich said Tuesday when asked. “But you got an experienced veteran. There’s no golden rule that says he can’t come in and play a couple of plays in the game. Look what the Saints did. I know Taysom Hill’s a different story, but why not do that to a lesser extent if it can be utilized in a positive way?

“That could be part of the plan. It’s always a week-to-week plan. Every opponent is a different opponent. So, that’ll be a weekly decision. Andy’s a very experienced guy. So, if we’re bringing him in there to do whatever we’re bringing him in there to do, we feel like he’ll do a good job of it.”

As the week progresses, the Panthers will know more about Young's status for Sunday. 

The last game Dalton started came in a 2022 Week 18 matchup in New Orleans when the Panthers came to town. He completed 15 of his 25 throws for 171 yards and a touchdown.

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The Carolina Panthers offense could have put someone to sleep for a majority of the Week 2 matchup with the New Orleans Saints on Monday.

Feature image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.