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David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Quarterback Bryce Young will make a second straight start for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints and he may have a new weapon.
Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks could make his NFL debut after spending the first eight games rehabbing from ACL surgery in November, when he was at the University of Texas. The second-round pick would share the backfield with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders if activated to the 53-man roster.
Young will start as veteran Andy Dalton continues to rehab from a sprained thumb on his throwing hand, which he suffered last week in a car accident. Dalton was a full participant in practice Wednesday and is expected to be Young’s backup.
“To me, it was taking the decision out of Andy’s hands,” coach Dave Canales said. “If you were to ask Andy, ‘could you go?’ He’d say yes. And, for me, he’s like a week removed from a thumb injury and I just want to make sure that we’re putting him back out there in the right state and the right framework.
“And I’m excited for Bryce to have another opportunity to build on things that we’ve talked about. To continue to just grow and get that experience that we talked about is invaluable.”
This will be Young’s second start against the Saints. He completed 13 of 30 pass attempts for 161 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 47-10 loss in New Orleans in Week 1.
He was replaced by Dalton after an 0-2 start, and he didn’t get another start until Sunday at Denver. He completed 24 of 37 pass attempts for 224 yards with two touchdowns and had two interceptions in the 28-14 loss.
Brooks won’t start, but he’ll get some reps behind Hubbard if he’s ready.
While there was speculation before the season that Brooks ultimately would make Hubbard expendable when he becomes a free agent after the season, the team appears committed to re-signing Hubbard to a long-term deal and keeping both backs moving forward.