Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Easton Stick

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.

Tuesday, August 26, 11:24 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick was released on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move helped the Falcons trim their roster down to 53 players, and it leaves Atlanta with only Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins in its quarterback room. Stick appeared in all three preseason games, completing 54 of 78 pass attempts for 520 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also took five sacks. The former fifth-round pick spent his first six NFL seasons with the Chargers before inking a deal with Atlanta in April. Now, he'll look for a new landing spot as Week 1 approaches. NewOrleans.Football's Mike Triplett reported that the Saints looked into signing Stick before he wound up with Atlanta, so perhaps they'll continue to show interest now that he's a free agent again. Regardless of where the veteran quarterback ends up, he should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.