Panthers QB Bryce Young leaves game vs. Jets with ankle injury - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Carolina Panthers possibly could be without starting quarterback Bryce Young for next week's game against the Buffalo Bills because of a sprained ankle, a source close to the situation told ESPN on Sunday.

Young twisted his right ankle while taking a sack late in the third quarter of Sunday's 13-6 victory against the New York Jets. He went to the locker room with trainers and did not return.

Coach Dave Canales would not speculate on the severity of the injury.

«We're taking all the information in,'' Canales said. „We're going to look at him when we get home some more and see where we are.''

Running back Rico Dowdle talked to Young after the game and asked him if he would be OK.

“I know he got the X-ray and stuff, but he said he's going to be fine,'' said Dowdle, who led Carolina with 79 yards rushing on 17 carries in the first game in which he and Chuba Hubbard alternated series.

Veteran Andy Dalton, 37, finished the game and would start against the Bills if Young can't play. Dalton finished Sunday 4-of-7 passing for 60 yards but didn't lead a scoring drive in the defensive struggle.

Young was 15-of-25 for 138 yards and a touchdown when he sustained the injury trying to escape pressure on a third-down play. He led Carolina to all 13 of its points as the team won its third straight game, the first time that has happened since the start of the 2021 season.

The Panthers improved to 4-3 overall, going above .500 for the first time this late in the season since 2019.

Dalton said he didn't expect the offense would change much if Young couldn't play but acknowledged Young's mobility was a factor in Canales' system.

»Obviously, Bryce can do a lot of good things with his feet,'' Dalton said. «But for