CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said he was surprised to learn from head coach Dave Canales that he'd been benched and accepted blame for the team's struggles on the field.
"It was not something that I was necessarily expecting," Young said following Thursday's practice. "Obviously not something that was great to hear. But I respect coach Canales and the organization.
" Young is 2-16 as an NFL starter since he arrived in Carolina amid high expectations after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 draft. The Panthers are 0-2 this season and have not been competitive in either game.
They have been outscored 73-13, including 53-3 in the first half, and have scored just one touchdown. Young has not thrown a TD pass in his last four starts dating back to last season. The 36-year-old Andy Dalton will start on Sunday at Las Vegas.
Young placed the blame for the demotion on his own shoulders, saying he needs to be more productive. "Last year and these first two games for the most part every snap has hit my hands and I didn't do enough with it at the end of the day," Young said. "I take accountability for that.
There are plays and a long list of things that I wish I was better at and I'm going to continue to work and grow and be better at them. I'm always going to look in the mirror." 49ers' Kittle lands on injury report SANTA CLARA, Calif.
— The San Francisco 49ers could be without another key offensive player this week after All-Pro tight end George .