tar defensive player, Brian Burns, was missing from the Carolina Panthers’ practice session on Monday amid negotiations for a contract extension. The player also missed Thursday’s practice for the same matter.
The player, who is the backbone of the Panthers’ defense, could miss the team’s Week 1 matchup on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Contract talks stalled
Head coach Frank Reich spoke to the media on Monday regarding Burns’ status with the team and raised alarms by saying it is his understanding that the player wouldn’t be available if a new deal isn’t in place before their Sunday game.
Reich said he didn’t have any inside knowledge of the negotiations by saying “It’s his personal matter. And secondly, as a matter of policy, it’s not my role to talk about contracts, even if that’s what it was.”
Talking about Burns’ character Reich commented “My view of Brian Burns doesn’t diminish at all. We understand there’s a business side to this thing we do, and I still respect and admire the way he’s handled himself. Nothing but the highest regard for Brian Burns.”
A change in strategy
Burns is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is looking to secure a long-term deal with the team.
The 25-year-old player did join the team for training camp and participated fully during the preseason showing his commitment to the organization.
Burns, who has changed strategy on the brink of the regular season, spoke to ESPN last week confirming he didn’t want to miss any time with the team saying “No fault to anybody who is not participating, but we’ve got something special, and I’m a big part of it, so I can’t miss no time. I’ve just got to be here.”
The Florida native’s quote from last week and him being absent on a “personal matter” from the team’s facilities on Monday appear to show that negotiations aren’t going well putting in jeopardy his availability for the Panther’s first game of the season in Atlanta.
The team is expected to travel to Atlanta on Saturday morning.
