Sept. 22 (UPI) — Two highly anticipated rookie quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, will not be able to play in Week 3 due to injuries as confirmed by their respective teams on Friday.
Head coach Frank Reich of the Carolina Panthers revealed to reporters that Young will be sidelined for one to two weeks as he recovers from a sprained ankle.
Young sustained the ankle injury during the Panthers’ loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday in Charlotte, N.C.
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has been tapped to start for the Panthers in Week 3, where they will go against the Seattle Seahawks at 4:05 p.m. EDT on Sunday in Seattle.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young has shown promise, completing 59.2% of his passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in his first two starts of the season. He had an impressive showing in Week 2 against the Saints, completing 87.1% of his throws for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen informed reporters on Friday that Richardson will also be sidelined for the week. The veteran Gardner Minshew will take the starting role for the Colts as they face off against the Baltimore Ravens.
Both Richardson and center Ryan Kelly are currently undergoing the concussion protocol, with Kelly also ruled out for Week 3.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has completed 63.8% of his passes for 279 yards, one touchdown, and an interception in his first two starts for the Colts. However, in the Colts’ 31-20 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday in Houston, Texas, Richardson only completed 60% of his throws for a meager 56 yards before exiting the game in the second quarter.
Gardner Minshew, who briefly substituted for Richardson in Week 1 and saw more action in Week 2, delivered a strong performance with a 76% completion rate, 171 passing yards, and one touchdown.
During his time with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Minshew completed 57.9% of his throws for 663 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in five games.
The Colts will go head to head with the Ravens at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Baltimore.
