Panthers coach Dave Canales says Bryce Young, starters to play in preseason finale at Buffalo

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young and the majority of the Carolina Panthers’ starters will see their first preseason action on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills in the final game before the start of the regular season.

Panthers coach Dave Canales had been on the fence about playing his starters after resting 32 players against the New England Patriots and 38 versus the New York Jets this preseason.

“My hope is to get the starters out there early in the game, get them some exposure,” Canales said Thursday. “The importance of it to me is how valuable the night before prep is, waking up in the morning — we have a one o’clock kickoff, and we have a lot of those the year — so just the body readiness.”

Backup quarterback Andy Dalton also is expected to play for the Panthers.

They will face the Bills’ reserves. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott, a former defensive coordinator with the Panthers, said earlier this week that his starters will sit out the preseason finale.

The Panthers (0-2) have struggled mightily on offense under the direction of third-string quarterback Jack Plummer. Carolina’s only scores with Plummer under center have been three field goals in two games, and its only touchdown came with Jake Luton at quarterback.

The Panthers finished a league-worst 2-15 last season and Young was among the lowest-ranked quarterbacks in most statistical categories. In addition, the 2023 No. 1 draft pick has had to learn a new offensive system under Canales.