The Panthers still are courting defenders as star pass rusher Brian Burns continues to miss practice. The guest list, Monday, included former Steeler Chris Wormley.
Wormley, the former Raven and Steeler, tore his ACL last season. In his three seasons with the Steelers, the former Michigan standout started 16 games. And he posted 8.5 sacks, so he was active when on the field. Chris Wormley also is a consistent run stopper. Pro Football Focus gave him a run defense grade of 78.2. The score tied Cameron Heyward as tops on the Pittsburgh defensive line.
The Steelers cut Wormley last month. Because defensive linemen are so coveted in the NFL, Wormley is a popular player these days as teams shore up potential roster holes. In the past few days. he’s also paid visits to the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
The Panthers do need to give themselves defensive options if Burns continues his holdout. Plus, they’re down another edge rusher, On Monday, the Panthers placed Marquis Haynes on injured reserve because of a back injury. Haynes was No. 2 on the depth chart behind Justin Houston, who plays the opposite side of the line from Burns.
Burns, the Panthers star, skipped last 2 practices
Meanwhile, Burns, the two-time Pro Bowler, missed his first practice last Thursday. The team took off three days and Burns no-showed for Monday’s practice. However, he did attend a team meeting last Thursday and on Monday.
Reporters asked coach Frank Reich about Burns’ missed practices. Reich shook them off.
“I’m just worried about getting my team ready to play Atlanta,” Reich said. *The Panthers open the season against the Falcons in Atlanta). “Do I hope he is there? Absolutely, I hope he is there. If he’s not there, I’m not worried about it. Just move forward.”
Chris Wormley, if his knee is healthy, would be a nice free agent find. Other pass rushers and or defensive lineman on the free agent market include Kyle Van Noy, Melvin Ingram and Carlos Dunlap. Former Bucs defensive lineman Akiem Hicks also is on the market.
Meanwhile, Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson believes Brian Burns’ holdout is only temporary.
“Everybody here knows, everybody outside of here knows, everybody in the stands know, everybody above us knows he deserves what he should get paid,” Thompson told reporters. “They know to make it right before Week 1.
“We know he’s gonna be out there at the end of the day,” Thompson said. “He knows he’s gonna be out there at the end of the day. Everybody upstairs better know he better be out there by Wednesday. He’s a big factor in this defense. He’s the one it really starts with.”
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