Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Carson Wentz

Thursday, August 21, 6:05 PM

Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton (elbow) is being held out of the team's preseason finale on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt. Starter Bryce Young will also be held out, leaving QB duties on Thursday to Jack Plummer and Bryce Perkins, who was just signed on Monday. The 37-year-old Dalton suffered a muscle strain in his right elbow in the team's second preseason tilt last Saturday against the Houston Texans. While the injury isn't considered overly serious, Dalton is strictly focused on being available for the club's Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Red Rifle is purely a backup at this point in his career. In six games (five starts) played last year in Carolina when Young was benched, he threw for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Thursday, October 2, 10:48 AM

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said this week that his team must cut down on penalties to help backup quarterback Carson Wentz and the offense stay in favorable down-and-distance situations against the Cleveland Browns in London. Wentz threw for 350 yards last week against Pittsburgh, but in part because Minnesota committed several costly offensive penalties, fell behind in the game, and attempted 46 passes. The Vikings will be without starting left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist), starting center Ryan Kelly (concussion), and starting right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee), and are likely to feature another game plan that includes more quick, high-percentage throws to stay away from the Cleveland pass rush. It's not an ideal situation for Wentz, though he still carries some Superflex value as long as starter J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is out.