Suspension:.Derrick Brown has been suspended definitely his not playing for Carolina Panthers today see more……
“I’ve been put into a different situation,” Brown said. “We’ve been doing a lot of different things on defense, so my job has kind of been the boring, kind of sit back and play the blocks, but doing my job. But I’m trying to be able to do like everybody else is doing – exploit those weaknesses of the offense and be able to get those stats while doing my job.”
First-year Carolina coach Matt Rhule said 2020 rookies such as Brown had been put in a difficult situation having to jump into the NFL without an on-the-field offseason program or preseason games.
“As we’re entering a new phase with the roster, you try to get 1,000 to 1,500 reps in the spring that we didn’t get,” Rhule said. “I think that that’s been really difficult. I look forward to having a true offseason where we can really coach and teach these situations better. But that being said, our job is a way to get these things done.”
The Panthers have a 4-9 record, with one victory in their past eight games. The loss to the Broncos marked the seventh time that Carolina had lost by eight or fewer points this season.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on
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The NFL’s 2020 season has been different from the 100 that preceded it. Much of the work has occurred with players at home communicating online with their coaches to meet the league’s shifting set of rules during the coronavirus pandemic.
For Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown, the new online NFL comes with a 2-year-old problem.
“Working from home doesn’t really work,” Brown said, “because my 2-year-old doesn’t know that when the door’s shut on dad’s office, he doesn’t accept that. He kicks the door down and comes right in and screams during meetings, so it doesn’t matter.”
Most of last week, Brown had to work from home. The former Auburn All-American spent Dec. 7 through Dec. 11 on reserve/COVID-19. He got off in time for Carolina’s last practice for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, then equaled his season high by playing 80 percent of the Panthers’ defensive snaps during a 32-27 loss, although he didn’t start for the first time this season.
“I had a close contact,” Brown said. “I had to stay home. I was out for the week, so it was just one of those things where you got to take it and still be able to do your job while you’re at home.”
Of greater concern for Brown is the health of his little boy and his 3-month-old daughter.
“Being at high risk, especially with my daughter being so young, I try to do everything I can from this aspect,” Brown said. “Keep my mask on. If I’m feeling any type of way, alert (Panthers head athletic trainer) Kevin (King) and the training staff, and then try to avoid it at all costs. Do all the preventions that Dr. (Nancy) Gritter and the rest of the doctors have taken us through. At the end of the day, I feel like as long as I’m doing those things, if I do end up getting it, I’ve got to get out of my house, obviously, because I don’t want my family to be affected by it.”
