North Charlotte Today

The Panthers' quarterback Andy Dalton and his family were involved in a traffic accident on Tuesday afternoon, but all members, including their mini goldendoodle Wynnie, are safe. The incident occurred while they were picking up their children from school near their South Charlotte home.

"Thankful for the Lord's protection through the whole situation," Dalton remarked on Wednesday after missing practice due to the accident. He expressed relief that everyone was unharmed, despite the frightening experience.

Dalton shared that it was a learning moment for his children, emphasizing the importance of safety measures like wearing seatbelts. Despite being shaken by the event, he is grateful for everyone's well-being.

The accident left Dalton with a sprained thumb on his right hand, affecting his ability to play. Head coach Dave Canales has announced that Bryce Young will start this week against Denver as Dalton recovers. Canales mentioned that they would evaluate Dalton's condition weekly and make decisions accordingly.

Dalton did not comment on future team roles or speculations about his position. He signed with the Panthers as a backup before Young joined as the first overall pick in 2023. His focus remains on recovery and health following this unexpected turn of events.

"I'm not worried about that right now," said Dalton regarding his role in the team. "I'm just trying to get back healthy... It's easy to find all the little things that you could be disappointed in. But at the end of the day, I'm thankful that my family is good."