Panthers head coach Dave Canales provided limited information on quarterback Bryce Young’s health after the team’s 30-27 overtime victory against Atlanta. Young, who played every snap despite limping after a first-quarter sack, will be further evaluated later in the week.
“We’ll do the full evaluation and we’ll have the updates out on Thursday,” Canales said Monday. When asked for more details, he reiterated, “We’ll let you know on Thursday.”
The Panthers’ next game is scheduled for Monday Night Football against the 49ers, giving the team an extra day to rest and recover before releasing their injury report. “A bonus day, so another day for recovery, get our bodies right, our minds right,” Canales explained about the altered schedule.
Young’s performance was a highlight of Sunday’s win. He set a franchise record with 448 passing yards and three touchdowns. Canales praised Young’s determination: “Just the resilience, an opportunity to show his teammates that he wants to be out there with those guys to win that game with them… whatever it takes to win and just try to find a way to contribute, try to find a way to affect the game.”
Special teams contributed significantly in the second half when Bam Martin-Scott forced a fumble on Atlanta’s Natrone Brooks during a kickoff return. Princely Umanmielen recovered the ball at Atlanta’s 32-yard line. Despite not scoring on that possession, Canales took responsibility for not calling a timeout before a failed fourth-and-1 attempt: “I’m sick that we didn’t get points out of that one… I needed to take a timeout, let’s regroup… I could have done a better job in that situation.”
Defensively, younger players stepped up after halftime as Carolina allowed only 91 yards and six points in the second half. Undrafted rookie Corey Thornton played 46 snaps—almost as many as his total from previous games—and finished with five tackles, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble. “He’s been showing a lot of ability in practice that we can count on,” Canales said.
Claudin Cherelus also made an impact with 10 tackles and a pass defensed while filling in due to injuries. “I was really proud of the way that Claud stepped up for his teammates,” Canales noted.
In overtime, tight end Tommy Tremble’s 54-yard catch set up Ryan Fitzgerald’s game-winning field goal. Canales explained why they waited until fourth down before attempting the kick: “I like the kicker to just know in his head the ball’s getting kicked on fourth down.” The Panthers ran three plays before Fitzgerald converted from 28 yards for their sixth win this season.
“Rico did a great job of securing the ball in those downs and getting us a couple of yards,” Canales added regarding running back Rico Dowdle’s role ahead of the final kick.
