Juston

Burris

Other notable cuts from the Panthers include defensive end Darryl Johnson and wide receiver Keith Kirkwood. Burris appeared in 10 games for Carolina last year, eight of which were starts. In 2020, Burris played on 92 percent of the Panthers’ defensive snaps during his 13 active games. His experience and ability to play special teams should land him a gig once rosters are settled.

Burris has started 20 games over the past two seasons, and missed six weeks to a groin injury that sent him to IR in 2021. His role in 2022 is a little less secure with Xavier Woods brought in earlier in free agency, but he should be a valuable depth piece and special teamer for the Panthers yet again.

Burris, a starter in the secondary when healthy, hasn’t played since suffering a groin injury in Week 3. He’ll be active on Sunday.

This opens Burris’ 21-day practice window to return. A depth signing turned starter, Burris has missed the past three weeks. He could return as early as Sunday against the Bucs, but Week 11 vs. Detroit might be more realistic.

A depth signing last spring, Burris has been an every-down player for the Panthers’ surprisingly effective pass defense. He must now miss at least the next three weeks. The Panthers have been giving each of Burris, Tre Boston and Jeremy Chinn heavy snaps every week. UDFA Sam Franklin is the next man up.

Burris was a replacement-level safety for most of last season but did show improvements down the stretch for Cleveland. He picked off two passes and made 32 tackles across nine starts. The 2016 fourth-rounder will be competing for a starting job in Carolina this offseason, assuming there is one.

An MRI should confirm the diagnosis later today. Burnett’s likely season-ender represents another crushing blow to a Browns secondary that has rarely been at full strength. Assuming Burnett is done for 2019, he’ll finish the year with 41 tackles, two sacks and one interception across 367 defensive snaps. Juston Burris and Sheldrick Redwine are the leading candidates to replace him at strong safety.

A 2016 fourth-rounder, Burris played just 50 snaps on special teams this season. With Bilal Powell on IR, De’Angelo Henderson was promoted from the practice squad.

A big, physical corner, Burris was an effective starter for the entirety of his NC State career, and had a strong Combine. He could contribute both inside and out. Shell is a plus athlete, but had unimpressive film, and is already 24.

Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine figure to be the corners in base sets, but Burris has the edge over Marcus Williams in nickel packages. Burris has great size at 6'/212 and has experience covering the slot and boundary from his college days. He played just 178 defensive snaps as a fourth-round rookie last year, but DC Kacy Rodgers admitted this spring, in hindsight, that was a mistake.