The Carolina Panthers will have outside linebacker Brian Burns today and, most likely, after Tuesday’s trade deadline. But let’s just focus on this afternoon first.
As expected, the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher will be a go against the Houston Texans here in Week 8. Burns, whose status was suddenly thrown into question when he popped up on Thursday’s injury report with an elbow issue, was listed as questionable for the outing after not participating in Friday’s practice.
Burns, also as expected, will be joined in the middle of the Carolina defense by fellow backer Frankie Luvu. The sixth-year veteran currently leads the Panthers with 39 total tackles.
Additionally, safety Xavier Woods, who has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury, will make his return.
The unit, however, will not field a few notable names including outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos as well as safeties Vonn Bell and Jeremy Chinn. Gross-Matos (hamstring) and Chinn (quadriceps) were both placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.
Veteran safety Matthias Farley and undrafted rookie Eku Leota, who could be making his NFL debut, were elevated from the practice squad as insurance.
Here are all the inactives for Carolina today:
- S Vonn Bell
- S Alex Cook
- G Nash Jensen
- OT Rickey Lee
- WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
- G Brett Toth
- OLB Luiji Vilain
And here’s who is down for Houston:
- G Nick Broeker
- TE Brevin Jordan
- QB Case Keenum
- DT Sheldon Rankins
- DE Myjai Sanders
- WR Roberts Woods
