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Panthers' Brian Burns ejected for throwing punch vs. Tampa Bay

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery12/03/23
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Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers star linebacker Brian Burns was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he threw a punch. A scuffle broke out in the Bucs-Panthers game on Sunday night and Burns threw a punch at Buccaneers offensive lineman Cody Mauch.

Following the ejection, Burns said the Bucs’ offensive lineman said, “something he shouldn’t have said.”

Burns has missed a number of games this season due to injuries, but he’s also looking to sign a long-term deal with the franchise soon. The former Florida State star has been one of the best pass rushers in the league the past few years. In 2022, he racked up 12.5 sacks, while racking up 7.5 sacks or more in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

He’s led the Panthers in sacks in all but two seasons since joining the team, selected No. 16 overall by Carolina in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He’s fresh off of his best year yet ending the 2022 season with 63 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 22 QB hits, all representing career highs for Burns.

The Panthers are in the middle of a rough season, and they currently sit at 1-11 this year. With the loss, they’re officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 2024 NFL Playoffs.

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In 2023, Burns has racked up six sacks and 33 tackles for the Panthers.

During his time with the Florida State Seminoles, he established himself as one of the most dominant pass rushers in the country. He finished his career there with 23 sacks. As a junior in 2018, he started all 12 games, racking up 52 tackles and 10 sacks. Those numbers were good enough to land him first team All-ACC honors in 2018.

Coming out of American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Burns was one of the most highly sought-after prospects in the nation. During his junior and senior seasons, he tallied 135 tackles and 28 sacks combined to help his team win state titles. He was good enough to play in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game.

In the 2016 cycle, Burns was rated as the No. 46 overall player in America and a four-star prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. When he chose Florida State, he chose them over Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Michigan, and many others.

On3’s Kaiden Smith and Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.