The Carolina Panthers announced Tuesday that starting quarterback Bryce Young will not play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots.

Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, started 16 games as a rookie, posting a record of just 2-14.

Per the Panthers’ official website, head coach Dave Canales made the decision to hold Young out of Thursday’s game “out of a desire to protect” him.

Veteran backup Andy Dalton has not been practicing due to a quad injury, so it is believed third quarterback Jack Plummer and the recently signed Jake Luton will take the bulk of the snaps Thursday.

It was far from a storybook rookie season for Young in 2023, as he completed just 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a Panthers team that had the league’s worst record at 2-15.

Making matters even worse is the fact that 2023 No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud thrived as a rookie starting quarterback for the Houston Texans.

In addition to throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions en route to Pro Bowl and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Stroud helped the Texans win the AFC South and win a playoff game.

While it is difficult to say if Stroud would have thrived similarly with far less talent around him in Carolina, there is pressure on Young to improve significantly in 2024 nonetheless.

To the Panthers’ credit, they made some moves this offseason to get Young some help.

In addition to acquiring wide receiver Diontae Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina selected wide receiver Xavier Legette at the end of the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Panthers also used a second-round pick on running back Jonathon Brooks and a fourth-round pick on tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.

Much of Carolina’s roster still has plenty of growing and developing left to do, so it is difficult to envision the team taking a huge step forward in 2024, but any notable strides taken by Young will have to be considered a positive for the future.

While fans won’t get the chance to see one talented, young quarterback in Young on Thursday, they will get to enjoy rookie No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye, as Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye will play against Carolina.