Panthers get a huge presence back on the practice field to start OTAs
Panthers get a huge presence back on the practice field to start OTAs
The Carolina Panthers got a big presence back on the practice field this afternoon.
Defensive lineman Derrick Brown was not only in attendance for the start or organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, but he was seemingly ready and willing to work. While the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder did not end up participating in team drills during the outing, he did show up with his helmet in hand . . .
Brown sustained a knee injury in Carolina's regular-season opener this past year. The setback sent the Pro Bowl defender under the knife for meniscus surgery and sidelined him for the remaining 16 games of the campaign.
The fifth-year veteran, a little over month ago, told reporters that he's hoping to be ready by the time Week 1 rolls around.
"Yeah, I'm here with the team right now, participating," Brown stated on Apr. 23. "Just doing what the doctors and the trainers are allowing me to do at this point. No rush. Just trying to get back and I would like to be able to be there when the team gets ready to play in September. So I'm following the protocol as is."
Carolina's defense, which allowed the most points in a single season, really missed Brown in 2024. In addition to that dubious honor, the Panthers also relinquished a whopping 179.8 rushing yards per contest—nearly 40 more yards than the next closest unit.
The season prior saw Brown earn his first career Pro Bowl selection after amassing 103 combined tackles—the most ever by an NFL defensive lineman.
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