Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Mac Jones

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.

Sunday, October 12, 3:01 PM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (knee, oblique) is officially active for Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was listed as questionable after being a limited participant in practice. There was never much doubt about Jones' status, as it was widely expected that he would earn the start on Sunday with Brock Purdy (sidelined). Indeed, Jones is active as the Niners' primary quarterback, and he even has some fantasy appeal. The former first-round pick threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he did so without four of the 49ers' top pass catchers. Jauan Jennings has returned to the mix this week, giving Jones another weapon. He ranks as a high-end QB2 with significant streaming appeal.