CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- October 22 was unfolding like any other Tuesday off for Andy Dalton. The Carolina Panthers quarterback, his wife and dog had picked up their three kids from school and were driving home about seven miles from Bank of America Stadium.
Then another car appeared.
What happened next resulted in a minor injury, a major change to the Panthers' quarterback room and a possible foundational shift for the franchise.
Dalton's Tesla and the other car collided, a scary moment for all involved. The only notable injury was to the thumb of the quarterback's throwing hand, which forced coach Dave Canales to return to Bryce Young, who had been benched after an 0-2 start.