CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Quarterback Bryce Young won't play in the Carolina Panthers' preseason opener against New England on Thursday, head coach Dave Canales announced.
The decision to sit the second-year quarterback is about protecting him, Canales said. Backup Andy Dalton will also miss the game due to a quad injury. That means third-string Jack Plummer is in line to get the lion's share of snaps against the Patriots as he tries to secure a roster spot.
Canales said there's no need to play Young in Thursday's game as he's the clear starter entering the season. That's a much different approach than what he took in Tampa Bay last year when Baker Mayfield played in the preseason during a quarterback competition. It's unclear if Young will take any reps in Carolina's last two preseason games against the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.
"You can't play scared, but you've got to be smart," Canales said. "With the guys we're counting on, we're definitely taking that into consideration here."
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