Carolina Panthers two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns sat out Monday's walkthrough -- his second straight missed practice -- for a "personal matter" amid speculation that it was spurred by the lack of a new contract.
Panthers coach Frank Reich declined to say if the absence was related to Burns' contract situation.
"I'll defer to Brian on that," Reich said Monday as the Panthers prepare to open the season Sunday at Atlanta.
"Do I hope he's there vs. Atlanta? Absolutely," Reich said. "But if he's not there, I'm not worried about it. Just move forward."
Burns, 25, also skipped practice on Thursday, but he told reporters Saturday that he has no plans to hold out.
"No fault to anybody who is not participating," Burns said. "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."
Burns is set to play this season on his fifth-year rookie option worth $16 million. He has 38 career sacks, including a career-high 12.5 in 2022. He has started 51 of 64 career games since the Panthers selected him No. 16 overall in the 2019 draft.
Meanwhile, the Panthers placed reserve pass rusher Marquis Haynes Sr. on injured reserve with a back injury.
Haynes will have to miss at least four games.
Haynes, 29, is entering his sixth season -- third different coaching staff -- in Carolina. He has 13 sacks in 64 games (one start) since being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 draft.
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