Panthers EDGE Brian Burns (ankle) is inactive for today's game against the Saints.

Panthers edge Brian Burns had surgery last Wednesday on his right ankle, the team announced Monday. Burns missed Week 18 with what was deemed an ankle sprain, but he returned to participate in the Pro Bowl games. Panthers.com's Darin Gantt reports that Burns continued to feel soreness as he began the offseason program, however. Tests revealed a "small fracture," which Dr. Robert Anderson repaired. Carolina expects Burns to be ready for training camp and play the season with "no limitations." This obviously adds a challenge for a rising, young pass rusher, though. We'll be watching Burns' progress this summer. Don't be surprised if we're a little cautious with his initial projections, coming in mid-May.

Panthers DE Brian Burns has tested positive for COVID. In addition, the Panthers sent players home Monday after what HC Matt Rhule called a "somewhat significant" number of positives, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. We'll see who else lands on the COVID list ahead of the Week 17 visit to New Orleans. We'll also see whether Burns has time to make it back from the list before Sunday.

Panthers DE Brian Burns (ankle) is active for today's game against the Cardinals. He finished the week with a full Friday practice and should be good to go for IDP lineups.

Panthers DE Brian Burns (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He progressed throughout the week, from missing Wednesday's practice to being limited Thursday and then a full Friday workout. We'll check Burns' status Sunday around 2:30 p.m. ET, when the inactives come out.

Panthers DE Brian Burns left Sunday's loss to the Patriots with right ankle injury. Burns initially left in the 1st quarter after QB Mac Jones tugged him down by the ankle following a Jones fumble. Burns returned from that but later left with an issue in the same ankle. Teammate Haason Reddick said after the game that Burns told him the ankle would be fine, according to ESPN's David Newton.