Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Taylor Heinicke

Sunday, October 27, 3:13 PM

The Carolina Panthers will not have quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) or running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Dalton is inactive after injuring his right thumb during a minor car accident earlier this week. His absence re-inserts Bryce Young into the Panthers starting lineup for Week 8. Meanwhile, Brooks is still on the non-football injury list after Carolina failed to activate him on Saturday. The rookie still has not made his NFL debut. The Panthers must activate him by November 6; if they don't, Brooks won't be able to play this season. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders will handle most of Carolina's rushing opportunities until Brooks is healthy enough to play.

Wednesday, August 28, 8:22 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers are acquiring quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Not only is starting quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) recovering from plantar fasciitis in his foot, but backup Easton Stick regressed in training camp and the preseason. The 31-year-old Heinicke will be an upgrade at the QB position behind Herbert entering the regular season next week. In Atlanta, the Falcons were expected all along to try and trade Heinicke after taking rookie Michael Penix Jr. in the first round in April. Heinicke made his NFL debut back in 2017 with the Houston Texans and has appeared in 38 games (29 starts) since then with four different teams. His best year came in 2021 with Washington, when he threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 picks on 321 pass attempts over 16 games (15 starts).