Panthers confident top pick Young will get needed reps
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich isn’t concerned over Bryce Young’s limited playing time in the preseason impacting his readiness for the upcoming regular season.
The No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft has only attempted 12 passes through two exhibition games with very limited success, completing seven for 56 yards with no touchdowns. Young has led five drives with three of them resulting in threeand-outs. The Panthers have scored just three points with the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner under center.
“Yes, I feel he will be ready,” Reich said Monday. “He’s very accomplished mentally and maturity-wise.”
Reich said he’s relying on Young’s extensive workload in practice to help him prepare for the team’s Sept. 10 regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, which Young will start.
“He’s gotten a lot of work and reps,” Reich said. “That’s why we made the decision back in the spring to announce him as the starter and put our team in a position to say ‘hey, this is who we are going to be moving forward.’ We are practicing at a high level that I think is preparing us for the season.”
Young also said he feels he’ll be ready for the regular season, although he still has things he wants to improve on over the next couple of weeks including his timing and footwork.
“The competitor in myself, and I think all of us, you want to keep playing,”
Young said of the preseason. “But there is a reason for everything and we all trust in the coaches.”
Dolphins QB White in concussion protocol
MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. » Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Mike White is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after team staff members noticed “irregularities” during Saturday’s preseason game at the Houston Texans, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.
White entered the game for a series in the third quarter when Skylar Thompson was taken to the sideline to be evaluated for an injury.
McDaniel said there is not yet a timeline for White’s return, but the Dolphins will re-sign quarterback James Blackman, who began training camp with Miami but was recently cut.
Blackman will be available for Saturday’s preseason finale at Jacksonville, along with Thompson and Tua Tagovailoa.
White tried to evade a pass rush on second down at the Miami 41, but was sacked by Houston defensive end Adedayo Odeleye. The Dolphins eventually punted. White was tackled to the ground and did not return. Thompson finished the game.
Giants draft class stepping up
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » Despite having late-round picks in the 2023 draft, the New York Giants made the most of them based on what has happened in training camp.
Cornerback Deonte
Banks, center John-Michael Schmitz, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt — their picks in the first three rounds — and sixth-round choice Tre Hawkins, another cornerback, may start or play a major role when New York opens on Sept. 10 at home against Dallas.
Running back Eric Gray, the fifth-round pick, could be the No. 1 returner. Jordon Riley, the first of two seventhround choices, has made a big impression in camp, while cornerback Gervarrius Owens is in the mix for a roster spot.
Assistant general manager Brandon Brown talked about the draft on Monday and gave a little more insight on why certain players were taken, and when.
Banks and Schmitz seemed no-brainers in the opening two rounds. The speedy Hyatt dropped in the draft despite catching 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns for Tennessee, including five in a single game against Alabama.
Gabbert, Buechele battling to back up Mahomes
KANSAS CITY, MO. » The Kansas City Chiefs know as well as any team in the NFL the importance of backup quarterbacks, and that makes the fact that coach Andy Reid called the competition for the spot too close to call noteworthy.
The Chiefs signed veteran Blaine Gabbert to fill the role of Chad Henne, who retired last season after five years as the primary backup to Patrick Mahomes.