The injuries (and the insult) just keep on coming for the Carolina Panthers—and now it’s come for their best player.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns made an early exit from Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, who had already been dealing with a hyperextension of his elbow, left in the fourth quarter due to concerns about a concussion.
Head coach Frank Reich would later confirm the unfortunate development during his postgame presser—stating the following about the statuses of Burns and cornerback CJ Henderson, who also exited with a concussion.
Reich says short week will make it tough for Brian Burns (and CJ Henderson) to clear the concussion protocol.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 6, 2023
Carolina won’t have much time to lick their wounds, as a Thursday night date with the Chicago Bears now awaits. The team, additionally, listed injuries for tight end Stephen Sullivan (shoulder), linebackers Chandler Wooten (ankle) and Luiji Vilain (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (thigh).
If he is unable to go, Burns would be just the latest outside linebacker to miss time—with Marquis Haynes Sr., Yetur Gross-Matos and Justin Houston all currently on injured reserve. The Panthers have also been without linebacker Shaq Thompson, cornerback Jaycee Horn and safety Vonn Bell.