It looks like the Green Bay Packers will face Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young and not backup Andy Dalton in their Week 8 matchup. Dalton did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a right thumb injury, while Young was a full participant, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. 

“We had a little bit of a modified mode practice today, but (Young) handled the load,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said after practice. “Tomorrow, we’ll push it again, and then we’ll make a decision in the next couple of days, but I thought he looked good.”

Young missed last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills after sustaining an ankle injury in the Panthers’ low-scoring win over the New York Jets in Week 7. With Dalton under center, Carolina suffered a 40-9 loss to Buffalo.

In seven starts this season, Young is completing 61.6 percent of passes while throwing for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions.

The Packers have played against Young only once since he was the first overall pick in 2023. During his rookie season, Young threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns with a 110.0 passer rating in a 33-30 Week 16 loss to Green Bay.

Even if Young is the starter for Carolina on Sunday, the Packers have to be ready to stop a Panthers’ fifth-ranked run game led by Rico Dowdle. The former Dallas Cowboys running back is averaging 130.5 rushing yards over the past four games.

We will get more clarity on Young’s status for Week 9 against Green Bay when the Panthers release their final injury report with status designations on Friday.