Former FSU Star, Carolina Panthers Pro Bowler Undergoes Ankle Surgery

Teams around the league began their offseason workout programs earlier this month. Ahead of a crucial 2023 NFL Draft under new head coach Frank Reich, the Carolina Panthers learned that they'll be without one of their top players for the majority of the spring and summer.

On Monday, the franchise announced that star defensive end Brian Burns had surgery on his right ankle last week after tests revealed a small fracture. He missed the Panthers' regular-season finale victory against the New Orleans Saints with what was reported as an ankle sprain. Burns was able to participate in the Pro Bowl in January but continued to feel discomfort.

The procedure was a success and Burns is expected to recover in time to participate in training camp. Carolina doesn't believe that the 25-year-old will be limited during the upcoming season.

Burns is coming off a career-best campaign where he was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl. He recorded 63 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass deflections.

Prior to being selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Burns starred collegiately at Florida State. He was named a first-team All-Freshman All-American in 2016 after recording 9.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. During his three years in Tallahassee, Burns totaled 124 tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks.

The Florida native began his college career under former head coach Jimbo Fisher before concluding it under former head coach Willie Taggart. Burns ranks fifth in program history in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss.

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