Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Zach Wilson

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 24, 8:24 AM

Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson came into Saturday's game against the Jaguars in the second quarter after Tua Tagovailoa stepped aside. He played ahead of rookie Quinn Ewers and put together solid numbers. Wilson completed nine of his 13 pass attempts for 80 yards, and he converted a big fourth-and-16 play that set up the Dolphins' second score of the day in their 14-6 victory over Jacksonville. Wilson finished the preseason with 327 passing yards and a 64.4% completion rate in three games, along with a passing touchdown and 19 rushing yards. Wilson played ahead of rookie Quinn Ewers, who has had a solid preseason. Ewers completed seven of his eight passes for 66 yards but did not lead a scoring drive. As the season starts, Wilson seems to have a firm grasp on the primary backup role behind Tua, but Ewers could figure in the mix further down the road.