Panthers starters will play in first 2 preseason video games, says coach

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales mentioned Friday that starters will play within the first two preseason video games, stopping simply in need of admitting he made a mistake final season holding them out.

The plan consists of taking part in quarterback Bryce Young, who acquired off to a traditionally dangerous begin to the 2024 common season that acquired him benched after opening 0-2.

Carolina opens their preseason schedule Friday at dwelling in opposition to Cleveland, adopted by an August 15 highway sport at Houston and August 21 dwelling sport in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Canales mentioned he’ll consider after the primary two video games whether or not starters will play within the third sport.

“Kind of going through it last year, we had a mix of veteran players, but [this is] predominantly a pretty young team,” said Canales, who has at least six new starters to the defense that was the worst in the league a year ago. “I simply cannot cross up the alternatives. The reps in video games are worthwhile.

“[But] it goes to the night before, when guys know they’re going to go out there, they’ve got to make a decision to play football. So it starts the night before with the prep. You start thinking about your plan, taking care of your body, making sure you get your rest.”

Carolina didn’t play Young and the rest of the starters in the first two preseason games last season, losing to the New York Jets and New England Patriots. The thought process then was starters got enough good work during joint practices before those games.

Canales played starters in the third game and won 31-26 against the Buffalo Bills. Young was 6-for-8 for 70 yards in that game.

But Young had a Total QBR of 8.9 over the first two regular-season games that was the third worst over a two-game stretch since ESPN began tracking the metric in 2011.

“It’s simply experimenting with an strategy,” Canales mentioned. “I’ve been a part of it in Seattle where we played our starters all but the last preseason game. They always got some good work in a couple of series. I just think about Pete [Carroll], what he was looking for at the time was the same thing we talked about, that mental preparation, readiness to go out there and play football, full speed football.

“There’s so much that goes into getting your thoughts proper to go on the market and play this sport. So that as a lot as something is effective.”