Panthers' Young to start after Dalton hurt in crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will start Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos after Andy Dalton suffered a sprained thumb on Tuesday in a car accident.

Dalton, his wife, three children and dog were traveling west on Sardis Road near Providence Road about seven miles from Bank of America Stadium when the accident occurred.

Coach Dave Canales said the hope is Dalton can be the backup Sunday at Denver. He said Dalton will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis in terms of who will start moving forward.

Dalton, 36, has gone 1-4 since replacing Young as the starter for Carolina (1-6).

Young was benched in favor of Dalton after an 0-2 start in which he threw three interceptions to no touchdowns. Dalton won his debut against the Las Vegas Raiders but has lost his last four starts.

Young is 2-16 overall as the starter after being the top pick of the 2023 draft.

This isn't the first time a Carolina quarterback was injured in a car crash to spark a change. Cam Newton suffered two back fractures in 2014 in an accident in which his truck tumbled less than half a mile from BOA on a Tuesday.

The Panthers were 4-8-1 but still in the hunt for the NFC South title at the time of the accident. Backup Derek Anderson started one game, a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in place of Newton and Carolina went on to win the division with a 7-8-1 record.

Carolina (1-6) is entering a three-game stretch against the Broncos (4-3), New Orleans Saints (2-5) and New York Giants (2-5) before its bye weekend.