NFL suspends former Panthers LB Damien Wilson for 4 weeks
The NFL has suspended former Carolina Panthers linebacker and current free agent Damien Wilson for four weeks. Per Pro Football Talk, he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
Carolina cut Wilson on March 10 and he’s remained unsigned since then. The linebacker initially signed a two-year deal with the Panthers before the 2022 season. The team saved $3.61 million in cap space by releasing him.
Wilson was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He played for the franchise through the 2018 season. Wilson also had stops with the Kansas City Chiefs (2019-20) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2021).
For his career, Wilson owns 419 tackles, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. In his lone season with Carolina, the linebacker played in 17 games and made five starts. He totaled 38 stops and forced a fumble.
Two Panthers defensive stars miss Thursday practice
Two key defensive players for the Carolina Panthers missed Thursday’s practice due to injury. NFL Network‘s Cameron Wolfe provided the update on social media.
Brian Burns and Derrick Brown did not participate in Thursday’s practice because of injuries. Burns has an ankle issue while Brown is battling knee and ankle injuries. The status for both players for Sunday’s game remains in question.
The update comes just a few days before Carolina hits the field to play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Slowing down Miami’s offense is going to be a tall task at full strength. If the Panthers have to play the game without one (or both) of their star defensive players, things could get ugly.
Sunday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. CBS carries coverage of the contest.
Through the first five games this season, Brown has accounted for 29 total tackles and a sack for the Panthers. Burns has tallied 18 stops, four sacks and a forced fumble.
Carolina is the only team in the NFL without a win, sitting at 0-5.
Carolina ‘simplifying’ offense for Bryce Young
Having yet to post a tally in the win column through five weeks, Carolina is desperate to get one. So how will the team try to make that happen? Head coach Frank Reich says it’s by simplifying things offensively for rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
“Every coach would tell you when you’re 0-5, what’s the answer? Do more? No, it’s do less,” Reich told reporters during his Wednesday press conference.
“Does that mean we gave him too much — maybe, maybe not. I don’t know the answer to that. I just know we have to get better. … It’s not just for the quarterback but the whole team. We did it on offense, defense and special teams — simplify, simplify, simplify. Do the basics, and let the players play fast.”
In his first five weeks leading an NFL offense, Young has thrown for 750 yards and five touchdowns with four touchdowns. He’s posting a 63.9% completion rate.