The Carolina Panthers are getting back the wrecking ball of their defense.
President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan hit the lectern on Tuesday for his pre-training camp press conference. He was asked about the outlook on defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who missed 16 of the team’s 17 games this past season due to a knee injury.
“He’s doing good. He was cleared for all activities,” Morgan stated. “He’s looking great, he’s feeling great. We’re excited to have him back, and he’s a huge piece of our defense.”
Brown sustained the setback during Carolina’s Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The campaign prior saw the former seventh overall pick notch 103 tackles, a single-season record for a defensive lineman, as well as his first career Pro Bowl selection.
Carolina’s defense, without Brown for about 95 percent of their games, went on to make some history of their own. The Panthers allowed 534 points, the most in NFL history, and a league-high 179.8 rushing yards per game.
Morgan was then asked if the coaching staff will apply some load management for the returning Brown.
“We’re gonna be smart with guys,” Morgan replied. “We’re not just gonna throw them out there and say, ‘Go ahead.’ We wanna be smart, we wanna do it the right way and bring him along slowly. But I know him—he’s champing at the bit to get out there and be full-speed and be in there every play with his teammates. But we have to be smart.”
The Panthers will hit the field for their first practice of training camp on Wednesday.
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