Panthers QB Bryce Young not worried about ankle injury as he returns to practice

Bryce Young has another rookie lesson to learn this Sunday. He’ll figure how well he responds, at least mentally, after being injured.

Sure, Young has returned from injury at every level of the game. But this is his first experience in the NFL It’s assumed that Young, the Panthers quarterback and No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, will resume his starting role when Carolina takes on Minnesota this Sunday. He missed last Sunday’s road game against the Seahawks because of an ankle sprain. However, Young was on the sidelines and wearing an ear piece so he could be part of the offensive conversation.

Young was back at practice, Wednesday, with no limitations. But still, a player needs to control that inner voice that ponders whether an injury will preclude him from making a cut or throw. Young says he’s “not really” concerned.

“I feel great,” he told reporters Thursday before the Panthers practice.

Thomas Brown, the Panthers offensive coordinator, said his quarterback enjoyed his best-ever practice. So much for the ankle sprain. Here’s how he explained the observation.

“Not just execution,” Brown said of Bryce Young’s practice. “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.”

While watching the game from the sideline, Young, no doubt, noticed how the offense changed with Andy Dalton, his replacement. Dalton is 35 and has started for five different NFL teams. He no longer has the career upside of a Bryce Young, but he certainly can pick up the nuances of an offense.

Dalton even set career highs when he filled in for Young. Plus, Reich trusted him to throw the deep ball.

“I probably called a few more,” Reich of deep pass plays. “And there were one or two things that Andy specifically asked for, which I don’t wanna go into detail on. But there were a couple things that he specifically asked for.”

Dalton completed 34 of a career-high 58 passes for 361 yards. He threw two touchdown passes with no interceptions. Still, he knows his job is to fill in for Young, not compete with him out for QB1.

“He’s done a great job of taking ownership of what we’re doing,” Dalton said. “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.”

One thing is certain. One team Sunday will break its winless streak to start the season. Each team is 0-3. So maybe Bryce Young will learn another lesson — how it feels to win your first NFL game.