Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee

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, August 31, 6:27 PM

Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb) was not spotted at practice on Sunday, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP. McKee fractured his thumb earlier this month and has not practiced in roughly two weeks. The 25-year-old was solid while filling in last year, as he completed 30 of his 45 pass attempts for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. With Thursday's regular-season opener fast approaching, it appears unlikely that McKee will be healthy enough to suit up. If he's inactive, Sam Howell would operate as the Eagles' No. 2 quarterback behind Jalen Hurts.