Could the Panthers be without this star defensive player for their opener?

His second straight missed practice, Burns is still at the team facility and going to meetings but it is less than a week away from the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons there is some cause for concern.

With reports that the Los Angeles Rams made an offer of multiple first-round picks at last year's trade deadline and with a new contract due after this season, Burns and the Panthers will hopefully be able to hammer out a contract extension before this situation gets past the point of being resolved. 

Entering his fifth season with the Panthers, he has totaled 38 sacks and seven forced fumbles while only missing two games in his career.  

Burns has developed into one of the league's premier pass rushers off the edge and is an integral part of a Panthers defense that is looking to improve, after ranking 19th in the NFL in points allowed with 374 and 22nd in yards allowed with 5953 in 2022.

Without him possibly suiting up on Sunday it would be a major blow for a Panthers team that will be starting a rookie quarterback Bryce Young after selecting him with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

His teammates know what he means to the team and the situation can be tense for all parties, but players still believe he will be out there on the field when they take on the Falcons.   

With his value higher than it has ever been, Burns will need to keep his best interest in hand in a league where one injury could end his career.