Brian Burns took off Labor Day off.
For the second straight outing, the Carolina Panthers’ star defender opted not to fully participate with the team. As confirmed by head coach Frank Reich after Monday’s walkthrough, Burns was a no-go despite being in the building.
Buy Panthers Tickets“That was a personal matter to him,” Reich said. “I’ll defer to him on that.”
Reich was also asked if he’s worried about potentially being without his two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher for Sunday’s season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
“Again, I’ll defer to Brian on that,” he then replied.
Burns and the Panthers are still in the middle of a contract tango, as the 24-year-old is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. And with neither side definitively attributing his absences to the lack of a new deal, Reich—again—heaped nothing but praise and respect on Burns.
“My view of Brian Burns doesn’t diminish at all,” he added. “We understand there’s a business side to this thing we do and I still respect and admire the way he’s handled himself. So, I have nothing but the highest regard for Brian Burns.”
Burns did not speak to reporters during the afternoon’s locker room availability.
