Carolina Panthers injuries: Latest on Hayden Hurst, Brian Burns, others before Falcons

Hayden Hurst’s season is over, and the Carolina Panthers’ injury report is jam-packed ahead of their home game Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Atlanta Falcons.

Here’s what you need to know.

Hayden Hurst out for rest of season

Hurst, the Panthers’ tight end who has been out since sustaining a concussion in early November against the Chicago Bears, was officially ruled out by the team on Friday.

The news comes after The Charlotte Observer confirmed with a league source that the team was expecting to place him on the injured reserve, effectively ending his season. The team officially reported the news just after 1 p.m.

Last week, Hurst wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he didn’t “remember up to four hours” after the hit he took after the Bears game Nov. 9. He added, “While it was scary, it is NOT career ending. I’m starting my return to play this week, so fingers crossed I make it back for the last few weeks!”

Hurst signed a three-year deal with Carolina this past offseason.

Hurst’s injury is compounded by the fact that Ian Thomas, another tight end, is out with an ankle injury. Expect Tommy Tremble to step up in their injured stead, like he has of late.

It’s also worth noting that another pass protector, OL Justin McCray, did not participate Friday. Like Hurst, his season is over after being placed on IR, too.

Brian Burns questionable with an ankle injury

Outside linebacker Brian Burns was out practicing Friday, but still appeared on the injury report Friday with the “questionable” designation ahead of Sunday’s game.

The vaunted pass rusher, who leads the team in sacks and leads a good defense, is dealing with an ankle injury, per the report. But interim head coach Chris Tabor told reporters Friday that Burns is tracking toward playing Sunday.

“He was limited today, he was fine,” Tabor said of Burns. “I think we’ll be in good shape.”

In related news, defensive end Chris Wormley was signed to the active roster from the practice squad, filling an available slot on the 53-man roster. The 30-year-old pass rusher had already been elevated from the practice squad the maximum three times this year, so to play again, the Panthers needed to sign him.

Full injury report for Carolina Panthers

OUT: Hayden Hurst (concussion), Justin McCray (calf), Ian Thomas (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE: OLB Amare Barno (illness), DB D’Shawn Jamison (illness), safety Xavier Woods (illness), OLB Brian Burns (ankle), DB Sam Franklin (illness), OLB Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), DB Jammie Robinson (knee).