Dave Canales explains the hidden benefit the Panthers’ newest addition brings to the locker room beyond the obvious
The decision to sign QB Mike White had more than one advantage for the Carolina Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers are still playing things close to the chest with quarterback Bryce Young following a right ankle injury he suffered in the Week 7 win against the New York Jets.
Young was out on the practice field on Wednesday but was officially listed as “did not participate”, but it was a good sign that he’s starting to do a little bit more toward working his way back.
Head coach Dave Canales did not confirm the high ankle sprain diagnosis that was reported by national NFL insider Tom Pelissero and the Panthers still haven’t made a firm decision about who will start in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills between Young and veteran Andy Dalton.
While speaking to the media on Monday, Canales did share that the team would explore adding another quarterback to the room. A few hours later, the team signed veteran Mike White to the practice squad.
“A guy that’s got experience and played some pretty important games over the course of his career,” Canales said of adding White. “So, the experience is a great thing. Heard a lot of great stuff about him, his reputation preceded him coming this way. He was interested in coming and being here in case we get into a situation where we might need him long term.”
There’s also a hidden benefit that comes with adding that specific player this week.
Panthers get a little competitive advantage by adding Mike White to the practice squad
White previously played with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 and was with the team throughout the offseason before being released in August. So, he’s familiar with the team, the coaching staff, and was close with Bills’ starting quarterback Josh Allen.
“Just trying to compete in any way we can,” Canales added. “You can try (to pick his brain). Our defensive staff, myself included, just talking to him about things he might have seen here and there. There’s no secret code involved here. He’s a Panther right now. Trying to compete, training to get as much info as we can.”
When it comes to gameday activation, it’ll be interesting to see what the Panthers do with White and whether or not the team elevates him from the practice squad. But, that first depends on Young’s final status and whether or not Dalton will be starting at quarterback for Carolina.
If Young is ruled out and Dalton starts, the team will have to choose between elevating White or Hendon Hooker to be the immediate backup as both players are currently on the practice squad. Here’s what Canales had to say on Monday about Hooker, whom the team signed back in August.
“Hendon’s a guy I’m really excited about,” Canales explained. “Loved him through the evaluation process coming out of Tennessee. Spent a couple years in Detroit and did really good training there in a system that’s very similar to what we do… He’s done a great job for us, just continuing to gather information, to get himself ready to help us at some point if we need him.”
With the addition of White, things certainly got more interesting for the Panthers’ quarterback position, but there’s a much more important decision the team has to make with Young first.
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