Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or C.J. Stroud

Sunday, November 2, 11:49 AM

Carolina Panthers veteran quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) is active for the Week 9 contest against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and will serve as the backup to Bryce Young, who is returning from a one-game absence due to an ankle sprain, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The 38-year-old Dalton made his first start of the year in place of the injured Young last weekend and fell flat in the blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, going 16-for-24 passing for 175 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The Red Rifle sustained a broken right thumb in the process, which limited him in practice this week. Dalton is apparently good to go as the backup this weekend, though, so third-stringer Mike White will be a healthy scratch.

Thursday, November 20, 8:36 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) was ruled out for a third straight game in Thursday night's contest against the Buffalo Bills, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Stroud was very close to being cleared this week. Rapoport said that had this week's game fallen on Sunday instead of Thursday, Stroud likely would have played for the first time since suffering a concussion in the Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos. He is doing well and was cleared for limited participation in Tuesday's practice. Stroud likely would have upgraded to full participation on Thursday if they didn't have a game, so the expectation is that he'll be able to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in time to play in Week 13 on Sunday, Nov. 30, against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. Davis Mills is making his third straight start against Buffalo and is hoping to lead the team to their third straight victory.