Andy Dalton injury update: Panthers QB exits second preseason game

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton was ruled out with a right elbow injury during Saturday’s preseason game, per Joe Person. Dalton is the veteran backup for QB Bryce Young.

With Dalton’s injury, second-year man Jack Plummer is expected to get a lot of work moving forward. Dalton was hit by Danielle Hunter of the Houston Texans while attempting a throw to rookie Tetairoa McMillan.

Dalton decided to stay in Carolina back in February when he agreed to a two-year contract with the team. The veteran is entering his 15th season in the league.

Dalton just wrapped up his second campaign with Carolina, playing in six games and starting five of them during the 2025 season. He provides some stability to the room if anything were to happen to Young, so long as he’s healthy.

Andy Dalton exits preseason game with injury

A massive milestone is not too far away as Dalton currently has 39,500 career passing yards to his name. That’s good enough for 26th all-time, currently sitting behind Johnny Unitas.

Carolina made the decision to bench Young early in the season, going with Dalton as the starter for five weeks. Those games did not yield a ton of success, though. He threw for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and eight interceptions while the Panthers finished with a 1-4 record.

But the decision to move back to Young was not a coaching one. A car accident meant Dalton battled through an injury and took some time off from practice. Eventually deemed healthy enough to get back in a game, Young started to play well enough to keep the job.

Plummer, who will go in in light of the injury, played for Purdue, Cal and Louisville in college. He went undrafted in 2024.

Plummer saved his best for last in 2022 and ’23 with Cal and Louisville. He finished his college career with 9.728 yards, 68 touchdowns, 31 interceptions and a 64.1% completion percentage.