Bryce Young cleared to start for Carolina Panthers vs Vikings following ankle injury

The Carolina Panthers announced on Friday that rookie quarterback Bryce Young has the green light to start once again on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The first-round draft pick suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the team’s Week 3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

Prior to his injury, the former Crimson Tide star led the Panthers to losses against the Falcons and Saints. He went 42-for-71 in his first two games, accumulating 299 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Young was back at practice, Wednesday, with no limitations. On Thursday, he told reporters he’s “not really” concerned about his ankle moving forward.

“I feel great,” he said before the Panthers practice.

The rookie earned praise from Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown for one of his best practices yet ahead of the Week 4 matchup.

“Not just execution,” Brown said of Young on Wednesday. “He’s been really good when it comes to understanding the offense and being a fast processor. But the energy, enthusiasm, stepping into a huddle, calling the plays with conviction, coaching those guys up from a receiver standpoint … just kind of being maestro when it comes to the offense.”

Young to start, several more questionable

In Young’s place on Sunday, Andy Dalton completed 34 of a career-high 58 passes for 361 yards. He threw two touchdown passes with no interceptions. Still, the veteran knows his job is to fill in for Young, not compete with him for QB1.

“He’s done a great job of taking ownership of what we’re doing,” Dalton said of Young. “That’s what you have to have at this position. It was good to see him yesterday step in there and have that leadership, have the energy, have the stuff that’s gonna lead the group.”

Although Young is back and ready to go for Sunday, Carolina has several other players still banged up. Safety Xavier Woods is out with a hamstring and three more are questionable. Linebacker Frankie Luvu (hip) practiced in limited fashion on Friday while running back Miles Sanders (groin) stayed on the sideline. Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is also still in the concussion protocol, making him a likely scratch for Week 4.

Kickoff for the game on Sunday is at 1 p.m. ET at Carolina.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.