ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Quarterback Bryce Young displayed having a good grasp of the Panthers’ new offensive playbook by capping a short and successful preseason debut with an opening-drive touchdown in Carolina’s 31-26 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
After he and the starters were held out of Carolina’s first two preseason outings, Young oversaw a 12-play, 85-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Matthews . The 2023 top overall pick played just one series and finished 6 of 8 for 70 yards, which was 9 more than third- and fourth-stringers Jack Plummer and Jake Luton combined for in a 15-12 loss to the New York Jets last weekend. The 85-yard drive also accounted for more than half of the Panthers’ total yards in each of their first two outings — they managed 156 last weekend and 151 in a preseason-opening 17-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
It was a promising performance for Carolina’s starter being introduced to a new offensive system under new coach Dave Canales. And it follows a season in which the Panthers finished with a league-worst 2-15 record with a Young-led offense ranking among the NFL’s worst in several categories. The Bills rested all of their starters to avoid risking further injury to an already limping team.
Starting linebacker Matt Milano (torn left biceps) will miss at least two months, while receivers Curtis Samuel (turf toe) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) and backup quarterback Mitch Trubis.