Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young made a brief early exit from the Panthers' Week 11 game against the Atlanta Falcons, but he returned shortly after.

Near the end of the first quarter, Young took a hard hit on a sack from Falcons rookie safety Billy Bowman Jr. He walked back to the Panthers' locker room with some trainers, and the team first listed him as questionable to return with an ankle injury.

Young ended up returning to the game for the start of the Panthers' next possession in Atlanta and finished the first half with no further issues. Veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton never entered the game.

Bryce Young injury update

Young departed from the Panthers' Week 11 divisional matchup with the Falcons with an ankle injury but didn't officially miss any time.

The Panthers' starter took a hard sack on a third-down play and remained on the ground for a few extra moments. Shortly after, Young walked back to the locker room with team trainers for a further medical evaluation, and Carolina ruled him questionable to return.

Atlanta's ensuing drive took over eight minutes of in-game time, which was enough time for Young to return by the start of the Panthers' next possession.

With a punt on the first play after the starting quarterback's injury and a long Falcons possession afterward, the Panthers did not have to hand over the reigns to Dalton, their backup, for any plays.

Young played out the rest of the first half in Atlanta without missing any time.

Panthers QB depth chart

  • Bryce Young
  • Andy Dalton

Young and Dalton are the only two quarterbacks on Carolina's active roster. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, missed one game earlier this season with a high ankle sprain. Dalton made his lone start of the year – a loss in Week 8 – with Young out.

Dalton, a 15-year veteran, is in his third season with the Panthers, his fifth team. He has appeared in 13 games with seven starts in Carolina and is 1-6 as a starter.

Quarterback Mike White, formerly a backup with the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, is on the Panthers' practice squad as well.

This story has been updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bryce Young injury update: Panthers QB returns after locker room visit

Reporting by Jack McKessy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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