Who Should I Start? Bryce Young or Tetairoa McMillan

Sunday, August 17, 11:40 AM

The Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young turned in a performance to forget in a 20-3 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday. Head coach Dave Canales had planned for Young and the starting offense to play three series, but he wound up pulling the third-year QB after a mere six plays. Young went 0-for-2, took a sack, and threw an interception to cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. that was negated by a defensive holding call. The former No. 1 overall pick gained two yards on a scramble, but that was it in terms of positive plays. Canales announced that the starters won't play the exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, meaning Young will wrap up his preseason 4-for-8 for 58 yards over two games. Heading into his age-24 campaign, Young is expected to take another step forward after showing progress last year. He tossed 12 touchdowns against three interceptions in his final eight games in 2024, leading to hope that the former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama had figured it out at the NFL level. The Young-led Panthers will open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 7.

Tuesday, August 19, 11:19 AM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was "working off to the side with no pads" during the team's practice on Tuesday, according to Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. McMillan is reportedly dealing with a minor hamstring injury that could keep him out of the team's final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Assuming McMillan is healthy for the start of the regular season, he has a good chance to emerge as the clear number one target in Carolina right away. He profiles as a low-end WR2 in fantasy with significant upside.