Carolina Panthers: Bruce Irvin, Little sidelined for Sunday’s opener against Rams
The Carolina Panthers will be down a couple men on Sunday.
A couple of Carolina Panthers players will be watching from the sidelines when the team takes on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Defensive end Bruce Irvin and offensive tackle Greg Little will both be out for Sunday’s game per multiple media reports.
Neither of these absences are really a surprise. Irvin did not practice on Wednesday as a hamstring injury has been bothering him. Little is in concussion protocol so he obviously can’t go either. According to Bill Voth of Panthers.com, head coach Ron Rivera says that Brian Burns “is in line” to start for Irvin. Although it may depend on how Los Angeles sets their offensive line, many players should be able to play on Sunday.
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This is a catch-22. I am excited to see how Burns plays. However, I’m hoping the best for Irvin. Especially when taking on the Los Angeles Rams, you certainly need all hands on deck. It would have been great to have Irvin out there but I would rather him take his time in getting back then have him rush out there and risk further injury.
Little should be back in the fold as well. Hopefully, everything goes well in his concussion protocol. He is thought to be a key piece to the Carolina Panthers offensive line not only now, but in the future. He is a player that has a ton of potential. As a rookie, he still has a lot to learn, but there is no doubt he has skill. Being on the safe side and holding him out for the opener is a smart move, and although I would’ve liked to have seen him play, the Panthers made the right choice here.
You never like to see when players are out due to injury, but it does provide opportunities for others to step up and show what they are made of. Already, the depth of the Carolina Panthers is being tested. Personally, I feel that this team is very deep, and has playmakers on both sides of the football that can take over when the starters need a break. This is not something they had last year, and as the Carolina Panthers know, you can never take depth for granted.
Hopefully, Irvin and Little will be back soon, and I’m anxiously awaiting their Panthers debut. They are in line to have great seasons, and I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be able to succeed.