Dalton elbow injury shutters the Panthers’ preseason night in Houston, forcing Carolina to rely on Bryce Young and rookie Jack Plummer as backups. Dalton exited after a seven-play series, finishing 2-of-4 for 22 yards, with no sacks charged. Carolina trailed 7-0 when the injury occurred and went into halftime down 10-3 as Young and Plummer rotated in unfinished drives. Tetairoa McMillan drew a Dalton target on a third-and-8 that fell incomplete to cap the first Panthers series before the injury.

Dalton, 37, signed with Carolina in 2023 and has compiled long NFL experience (175 games, ~39,500 yards, 253 TDs). In the season opener of the 2025 preseason he went 13-of-19 for 101 yards with a pick. The injury creates a sharp hinge point for Carolina’s QB depth and may accelerate Young’s development path, with Plummer stepping in behind him and McMillan potentially earning more trust in the passing game.

From a fantasy lens, the setback tightens Carolina’s early-quarterback uncertainty. If Dalton misses time, Young’s reps could surge, and Plummer’s late-week opportunities may be pivotal for roster planning. The hit by Danielle Hunter underscored Houston’s push, while Young’s minimal stats leave a wait-and-see mood around the Panthers’ Week 1 plan.