Bills' upcoming foe loses QB in Week 7, which could force familiar face under center

The Carolina Panthers lost their starting singal caller during a win over the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.

Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws the ball in the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills may see a familiar face at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers in the two teams' upcoming Week 8 matchup.

Carolina lost its starting quarterback, Bryce Young, to an ankle injury he sustained during the second half of a Week 7 win over the New York Jets, which led to the Panthers inserting backup QB Andy Dalton under center. Dalton should be a familiar name for Bills’ fans, as he was the quarterback who helped guide the Cincinnati Bengals to a fateful Week 17 win over the Baltimore Ravens during the 2017 season, which punched the Bills’ playoff ticket, ending a 17-year playoff drought.

Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs out of the pocket in the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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Young was injured with about a minute to go in the third quarter of Carolina’s win over the Jets, as a Jets defender stepped on his ankle, forcing it to twist awkwardly. David J. Chao, also known as @ProFootballDoc on X, does not believe it is a significant injury.

#BryceYoung
Right ankle cleated and twisted
Not looking severe/long term#AndyDalton in pic.twitter.com/kPPUpREHyp

— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 19, 2025

“We’re taking all the information and we’re going to look at him when we get home some more,” said Carolina head coach Dave Canales on Young after Sunday’s game. “So we’re going to see where we’re at.”

If Young is to remain out of action this week against the Bills, that would mean Dalton would get the start against a Bills’ defense that has allowed opposing passers to throw for at least 233 yards passing in each of their past two games, both losses.

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Dalton has started six games against the Bills throughout his career, finishing 4-2, including one win and one loss against Buffalo since Sean McDermott took over as head coach in 2017. His last start against the Bills came in Week 3 of the 2019 season as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, a 21-17 win for Buffalo.

Sep 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) stands on the field prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Young has never played against the Bills during his three-year career. The former No. 1 overall pick has helped the Panthers to three straight victories and has completed 61.8% of his passes for 1,150 yards passing, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

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