QB Bryce Young has an ankle injury. Here’s what may happen in next Panthers game

Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young did not participate in the team’s walk-through practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, leaving open the possibility that veteran Andy Dalton may start in his place for Carolina’s next game.

The Panthers (0-2) play at Seattle (1-1) on Sunday. Young hurt his ankle in Carolina’s 20-17 loss on “Monday Night Football” to the New Orleans Saints. Carolina coach Frank Reich said that Young’s status is unclear at the moment, and that he would be re-evaluated throughout the week before the decision is made as to who starts at quarterback Sunday.

Young was seen favoring the ankle in the locker room after the game, and Reich said that the quarterback has been receiving treatment the past two days. Spotted Wednesday in the Panthers’ locker room, Young was walking without a noticeable limp.

However, the Panthers could still err on the side of caution and start Dalton against Seattle, given the long plane flight and Dalton’s ability to quickly be inserted into most any situation as a veteran backup who was an NFL starting QB for more than a decade’s worth of games.

Reich said he didn’t know the exact play on Monday night that Young was hurt. On Young’s final drive of the night, he led the Panthers to a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

As for Young’s status, the coach said: “I don’t know the answer to that right now.”

Reich also said he didn’t know whether Young had a normal ankle sprain or a high-ankle sprain — the latter would be more serious and might require Young to miss several games.

Of the 35-year-old Dalton, Reich said, “his pulse doesn’t change” no matter the situation, and that Dalton will be ready should he have to start. Neither Dalton nor Young were made available to reporters Wednesday following the Panthers’ announcement that Young had missed practice. Dalton played a little on Monday night, coming in on two short-yardage situations (one ended with a false start by lineman Cade Mays and on the other he pitched out for a first down).

While the 22-year-old Young has started two NFL games in his career, Dalton has started 162 NFL games, going 83-77-2 with four different teams. Young was out at the Panthers’ walk-through practice Wednesday, but was only able to watch while Dalton took all of the reps.

“If Andy is the starter, we’ve got a lot of confidence,” Reich said. “This is why you bring somebody like Andy in. ... If Andy plays, we believe he gives us a very good chance to win.”

As for the likelihood that the decision on a starter won’t be made for a day or two and what will go into that, Reich said: “One thing I’ve learned as a head coach about making these kinds of decisions is it’s a three-fold decision. It’s the doctor, the player and the head coach, so all three have a say in the decision. Obviously, weighing most heavily on the doctor. Then the player. And then the coach.”

Young was the only player listed as DNP, or “did not participate,” on the Panthers’ injury report Wednesday. Pass rushers Brian Burns (ankle) and Justin Houston (calf), as well as running back Miles Sanders (pectoral) and linebacker Chandler Wooten (knee) were limited.

Jones signed to 53-man roster

The team also made four transactions Wednesday to provide additional depth and insurance for the recent rash of injuries sustained during the first two weeks of the season, including Young’s ankle injury.

Carolina promoted former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. A corresponding move was not necessary, as the team had two open spots after placing linebacker Shaq Thompson (ankle) on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Jones spent most of the summer with the Panthers before being released during final cuts earlier this month. He was re-signed to the practice squad last week. With Jones on the main roster, the former Atlanta Falcons defender will be partnered with Frankie Luvu and Kamu Grugier-Hill at inside linebacker.

The team filled Jones’ practice squad spot with quarterback Jake Luton, who was with the team during training camp this summer.

The team also swapped out practice squad cornerbacks, releasing rookie Mark Milton to make room for Robert Rochell, who played for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in Los Angeles with the Rams.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said that Luton was with the Panthers last season. He was with the team in training camp this summer. The story has been corrected.