Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Panthers are activating DE Brian Burns and LB Shaq Thompson from the COVID-19 list on Saturday.
The Panthers are also elevating six players including DE Austin Larkin, RB Spencer Brown, CB Madre Harper, OL Mike Horton, TE Stephen Sullivan, and TE Colln Thompson.
According to Rapoport, the plan is for them to travel with the team to New Orleans for their Week 17 game against the Saints.
Burns, 23, was a fourth-team All-American in 2018, first-team All-ACC, and a Bednarik Award semifinalist. He was drafted by the Panthers No. 16 overall in the first round out of Florida State in 2019.
Burns is in the third year of a four-year, $13,540,186 rookie contract that includes $7,867,408 signing bonus. The Panthers will have a fifth-year option to pick up on him for the 2023 season.
In 2021, Burns has appeared in 15 games for the Panthers and recorded 48 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass deflections.
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