Carolina Panthers: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Dan Morgan was everything the Panthers wanted in an inside linebacker. That’s why they drafted him 11th overall in 2001, immediately slotting him in as the future of the Carolina linebacking corps. Unfortunately, his health wouldn’t allow him to reach his full potential.

For much of his career, Morgan was busy battling injuries and desperately trying to just stay on the field. He never played a full 16-game season, coming closest in 2005 when he made 13 appearances. However in three of his seven seasons with the Panthers, he played in eight or fewer games.

Still, when he was healthy enough to go, Morgan was a heat-seeking missile.

A tough, instinctive linebacker with tremendous athleticism and burst, Morgan was among the best at tracking and stopping the football. Despite his limited time on the field, he often racked up huge tackle totals, including the 101 tackles in 2004 that earned him his one and only trip to the Pro Bowl.

Chances are if he had stayed healthy, Morgan would be much higher on this list. It’s disappointing that didn’t happen, but Panthers fans everywhere will still remember him for the dominant play he provided when he was capable of taking the field.