Coach Frank Reich says QB Bryce Young’s ceiling will improve if Panthers find a way to protect him

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryce Young has been making steady progress for the Carolina Panthers, resulting in his first NFL victory this past Sunday.

Coach Frank Reich believes Young’s production will improve dramatically moving forward if the Panthers can do a better job of protecting their franchise QB.

“Absolutely I think his ceiling goes further up,” Reich said.

The No. 1 overall pick continues to face plenty of pressure. He has been sacked 22 times in six starts for the Panthers (1-6), including six in Sunday’s 15-13 victory over Houston. It marked the fourth time in six games that Young has been sacked four or more times.

Reich called Sunday’s performance unacceptable, adding “that was just too many sacks.”

Reich said after the game he initially thought Young held on to the ball too long on a couple of plays against the Texans, but changed his mind after watching game film.

“There was nowhere to get it out,” said Reich, a former NFL quarterback. “The one or two times I thought he could get it out, there was nowhere to get it out to.”

The Panthers have to do a better job of helping Young. He certainly could benefit from better blocking up front, but his receivers also need create more separation from defenders. And it would help if the Panthers could establish the ground game, something they’ve struggled to do in averaging just 90.3 yards per game.

“There’s no one thing,” Reich said. “There are four different reasons why he got sacked six times. We have to get that cleaned up.”

Along with being sacked a lot, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Young is taking plenty of shots in the pocket that could eventually take a toll. Opposing defenses have had 46 QB hits on him, with the Texans getting a…