Quarterback Bryce Young, overcoming an ankle injury, threw for a team record 448 yards. Often maligned for not throwing consistently downfield over the past three seasons, Young proved he can deliver “explosive” plays. The Panthers executed nine passing plays over 20 yards last Sunday.
Fueling the Panthers’ come-from-behind victory, Young directed a go-ahead touchdown drive with 1:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick then engineered a six-play, 60-yard series in OT, resulting in the game-winning field goal.
Young, who earned NFC offensive player of the year honors, returned to practice Thursday.
“I’m blessed. Practiced, I’m able to do things, so I’m excited,” Young said during his post-practice press conference, per Panthers.com. “Everyone’s fighting through something at this point in the year. Other than practice, I’m in the training room all the time, doing everything I can.
“I have a great training staff, so doing all the stuff they want me to do and it’s always getting better, always feeling better from a day to day basis. Everyone’s dealing with something, that’s just the nature of football, of this league, especially at this time of the year. So again I’m excited. I’m focused on football.”
Young is expected to start when the Panthers travel to face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
#Panthers QB Bryce Young arrives at Wednesday’s #NFL practice … pic.twitter.com/9RgIKIRSKm
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) October 1, 2025
Carolina Panthers Need Strong ILB Play Vs. S.F. 49ers
Preparing for the NFL’s profound Monday night stage, Panthers coach Dave Canales doesn’t know what direction the defense will go this week.
In playoff contention for the first time since 2017, the Panthers (6-5) are coming off a confidence-building 30-27 overtime victory over the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons.
To remain in contention, the Panthers’ defense likely will have to contain running back Christian McCaffrey. To do so, they will need strong inside linebacker play.
But who will Canales field with starters Christian Rozenboom (hamstring) and Trevin Wallace (shoulder) not able to practice Thursday.
Here’s who the Panthers could have available Monday:
Special teams ace Claudin Cherelus likely will start his second game and could be joined by special-teamer Maema Njongmeta, who replaced Rozeboom on Sunday. Veteran Krys Barnes retains one additional practice-squad elevation and journeyman Jacoby Windmon returned to the practice squad.
Cherelus collected 10 tackles last Sunday.
#NFL, #Panthers peace, Claudin Cherelus … pic.twitter.com/VgZgUkqE3Q
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 2, 2025
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