CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Andy Dalton had simply picked up his children from college on Tuesday’s off day and was headed house, then off to a tennis lesson and a baseball recreation.
Along with his spouse and three kids, Dalton additionally had his canine within the Tesla. After which, a pair miles from his household’s house in south Charlotte, the automobile Dalton was driving collided with one other automobile and all the things with the Carolina Panthers quarterback scenario modified.
Or it didn’t.
Earlier than delving into the soccer influence of Tuesday’s occasions, let’s first say this: Dalton’s household and the opposite driver have been extraordinarily lucky that the worst factor to come back out of the two-vehicle crash was the sprained thumb on Dalton’s throwing hand.
“It was scary,” Dalton stated. “First time for (his kids) to undergo one thing like that. They have been fairly shaken up by it. Everyone’s wholesome, which was the No. 1 factor we have been grateful for.”
Panthers coach Dave Canales, quarterback Bryce Younger and Dalton’s teammates all felt the identical once they discovered that the 36-year-old Dalton, nicknamed the “Purple Rifle,” had been in an accident.
“I feel all people must be actually delicate to what’s happening,” veteran tight finish Jordan Matthews stated. “It wasn’t simply Andy in that automobile. It was Andy, his spouse, his children. The canine was with him.”
The collision was unhealthy sufficient that the airbags in each automobiles deployed. And after getting his household taken care of with the assistance of some strangers in addition to neighbors passing by on Sardis Highway, Dalton realized “fairly fast that one thing was up” along with his thumb.
He received in contact with the group and underwent medical testing. An MRI confirmed the sprain. “I’m grateful it’s what it’s,” Dalton stated, “as a result of it may’ve been worse.”
Andy Dalton says the QB change has introduced him and Bryce Younger nearer. pic.twitter.com/mVtHTGAy8Z
— Joe Individual (@josephperson) October 23, 2024
That’s when the soccer selections began taking place. Canales known as Younger on Tuesday night so he may begin getting ready to start out Sunday’s recreation at Denver — 5 weeks after Canales had knowledgeable Younger he was benching final yr’s No. 1 decide. Dalton additionally known as Younger.
Most figured the Panthers (1-6) would return to Younger sooner or later this season, both due to mounting losses and frustrations or an damage to Dalton. However nobody may have imagined it might have transpired like this.
“It’s undoubtedly unlucky, undoubtedly didn’t assume it was gonna occur selecting the youngsters up from college, heading house. Then take to the tennis lesson and a baseball recreation,” Dalton stated. “However undoubtedly loopy that it occurred.”
The Panthers hope Dalton’s thumb — which Canales described as a “unhealthy sprain” — heals quick sufficient that he could be the No. 2 quarterback Sunday in opposition to the Broncos. The one different QB on the roster is undrafted rookie Jack Plummer.
Dalton’s damage comes at a time when the Panthers have been simply beginning to get a number of gamers again. Edge rusher D.J. Wonnum practiced Wednesday for the primary time since signing with the group in free company, whereas receiver Adam Thielen, offensive deal with Taylor Moton, cross rusher Jadeveon Clowney, linebacker Josey Jewell and security Jordan Fuller all resumed working towards after lacking a number of video games.
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It’s been that type of season for Canales, the longtime Seattle Seahawks assistant who conceded he’s by no means endured a yr fairly like his first one in Charlotte.
“I can actually say no, I’ve not,” he stated. “I simply know that tough instances create perseverance. Perseverance builds character. I go searching on the employees. I go searching at our guys and I simply see a bunch of individuals simply going again to work and actually simply chasing these moments, these alternatives that we’ve got.”
Nobody has an even bigger alternative than Younger, who struggled by a tough rookie season after which by some means regarded worse the primary two video games this yr, regardless of enhancements alongside the offensive line and the arrival of some extra playmakers.
Canales stated he was excited to see Younger get one other likelihood, however the so-called QB whisperer had proven no real interest in re-installing him because the starter even because the Panthers misplaced 4 in a row and Dalton had began throwing extra interceptions — a no-no for a coach who values “the ball.”
However now Canales has to return to Younger at the least for a recreation, after which Canales will consider the quarterback place on a week-to-week foundation.
“He’s been an absolute stud by this entire course of. He’s been engaged, concerned in what we’re doing. So he’s enthusiastic about this chance,” Canales stated. “I’m fired up for him to have one other alternative to simply get in there and play some soccer.”
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If Younger doesn’t do sufficient in opposition to the Broncos — a top-3 protection and top-5 passing protection — to benefit one other begin with the Panthers, perhaps he’ll catch the attention of one other group earlier than the Nov. 5 commerce deadline. However that’s a risk Younger would by no means acknowledge publicly.
“I attempt to work to be higher each single day and I all the time wish to develop. Clearly, the weeks of watching movie and rising by completely different experiences,” Younger stated. “However it’s the identical day-to-day progress, the identical day-to-day grind I’ve been on for almost all of my life. So I’m grateful for the place I’m at and simply targeted on persevering with to develop.”
Dalton, who signed with the Panthers a month earlier than they drafted Younger, may need put it greatest Wednesday when he stated: “It goes again to the way it was earlier than.”
Possibly Dalton goes again to being the starter subsequent week in opposition to New Orleans. Possibly Plummer will get within the recreation at Denver. Because the occasions of the final two months have taught the all the time upbeat Canales, with the Panthers it’s all the time greatest to anticipate the surprising and attempt to embrace the chaos.
(Picture of Bryce Younger and Andy Dalton: Michael Reaves / Getty Photos)
