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.

Tuesday, August 19, 5:23 PM

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones (knee) is not at training camp practice on Tuesday after spraining his knee in the second preseason game over the weekend, according to The Athletic's David Lombardi. Jones' injury isn't believed to be serious, but it explains the recent signing of Nate Sudfeld for additional QB depth. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Jones will not play in the club's preseason finale on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Niners believe that Jones will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. In addition to Sudfeld, the team has Carter Bradley in their QB room behind starter Brock Purdy. The 26-year-old Jones will be off the fantasy radar unless he's forced into a starting role in 2025 due to a Purdy injury.