Panthers' Andy Dalton Ruled Out After Suffering Elbow Injury in Preseason vs. Texans

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton exited Saturday's NFL preseason game against the Houston Texans with a right elbow injury.

His day ended after he went 2-of-4 for 22 yards.

Second-year signal-caller Jack Plummer got the keys to the offense for the remainder of the contest.

Whereas some coaches are using the preseason to sort out their quarterback room, the Panthers' depth chart is pretty much set at the position. Bryce Young will be the Week 1 starter against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Dalton and Plummer to follow in that order.

This time last year, Young had something to prove after a disappointing rookie campaign. By the third week of the regular season, he got the hook for Dalton.

When a thumb injury to Dalton last October cleared a path back to the starting job for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, he didn't look back. He threw for 2,104 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions with an 88.9 passer rating in 10 games.

With the 2025 kickoff less than a month away, Dalton's injury matters to the Panthers to the extent they'd need to sign a new backup if he's out of action. Plummer, who signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2024, has yet to make his full NFL debut.