The Carolina Panthers had a rough time in Week 8, losing badly to the Buffalo Bills 40-9. Now, as they get ready to go to Lambeau Field to face the 5-1-1 Green Bay Packers, Wednesday’s practice gave everyone a wider picture of the team’s depth chart heading into week 9.

Three starters were held out of Wednesday’s practice, and a fourth was limited.

When it comes to the quarterback, there was good news. Starter Bryce Young, who missed all of Week 8 after getting a high ankle sprain during the Panthers’ Week 7 win over the New York Jets, participated fully in Wednesday’s practice.

Head coach Dave Canales had some honest updates right after practice about Young’s status. He said Young “really wants to” play on Sunday against the Packers, but the team is being cautious, looking out for his long-term health. Wednesday’s practice was shorter than usual, and Canales explained they took care to keep it light.

“We had a little bit of a modified practice today, but he handled it, handled the load,” Canales said about Young. He added, “Tomorrow we’ll push it again, and we’ll make a decision in the next couple of days.”

But backup Andy Dalton did not take part in Wednesday’s practice due to a right thumb injury. When Bryce Young was listed as doubtful coming into week 8, veteran Andy Dalton started instead.

That did not work out well, as Dalton completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while also taking seven sacks and losing two fumbles, turning the ball over three times total in the loss. The numbers tell the story of how bad things went for Dalton and the Panthers offense that day.

Of his three turnovers, two of them came early in the game and led directly to Buffalo points, making it harder for Carolina to stay in the game from the start. The veteran quarterback looked slow trying to escape the Bills’ pass rush, and he threw an interception to defensive end A.J. Epenesa on a screen pass that set up another touchdown for Buffalo.​

If Dalton is not healthy enough, the Panthers could need to call up someone from the practice squad. Mike White and Hendon Hooker are waiting in the wings. Hooker was bumped up to back up Dalton for last week’s Bills game. Canales said they’re still figuring out how to handle that position for Sunday.​

Despite Bryce Young’s return, Panthers face mounting issues

On the offensive line side, the problems have kept piling up with Brady Christensen out for the season with a serious Achilles injury. Center Cade Mays and right tackle Taylor Moton had to miss Wednesday’s training due to ankle and knee issues, and their status for the Packers game remains up in the air. Damien Lewis was back at practice and participated fully, which was a needed lift.

Chandler Zavala also joined the practice as a full participant, starting his 21-day window after coming back from a knee injury and injured reserve.​ The Panthers’ options for filling the line are moving around with Robert Hunt still out and Christensen done for the year. Zavala’s return could help patch things as the group just tries to get healthy for a big matchup.

With only a few reliable faces like Ikem Ekwonu and Austin Corbett and depth options like Jake Curhan and Nick Samac, the team is trying to figure out how to keep things stable up front.​ Fans will have to keep an eye on updates before Sunday’s game to know who will be under center when the Panthers take the field at Lambeau.