Panthers stars Brian Burns, Derrick Brown 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.

Panthers star defenders Brian Burns (ankle) & Derrick Brown (knee/ankle) were downgraded to did not participate in practice today after being limited yesterday.

0-5 Panthers play 4-1 Dolphins, who have NFL’s No.1 ranked total offense, pass offense & rushing offense Sunday.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 12, 2023

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.

Panthers simplifying offense for rookie QB 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.

Those numbers aren’t awful, especially for a rookie quarterback. But, obviously, it hasn’t been enough to get the Panthers a win just yet. And if they hope to get one against an explosive Dolphins team, they’ll have to be able to put up a lot of points.

Sunday might be the toughest challenge Young and the Panthers have faced yet.