SEPTEMBER 10: Brown sought a second opinion, per Dave Canales, but it also revealed surgery will be necessary. As a result, Brown is now on IR. This move could still result in Brown returning this season, via an IR activation, but the recently extended D-lineman faces the prospect of his season being over after 60 snaps. A full meniscus repair, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, almost definitely ends Brown’s season.
SEPTEMBER 9: Week 1 saw the Panthers suffer a lopsided defeat, but the more significant takeaway from the game was the injury incurred by Derrick Brown. The Pro Bowl defensive lineman is dealing with a meniscus injury and he is in danger of missing considerable time as a result. 
Brown is set to undergo surgery, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. As the case of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy recently showed, the recovery timeline will be determined by the procedure. Brown could miss the remainder of the campaign, something which would represent a massive blow to Carolina’s defense.
The 26-year-old inked a four-year, $96MM extension this offseason. That pact cemented his status as a cornerstone of the franchise and made him one of the league’s highest-paid interior defenders. Brown recorded a record-breaking 103 tackles last season, and he was positioned to once again serve as the most productive member of Carolina’s defensive front. Expectations for a step forward in terms of pass rush production were also high as the team no longer has Brian Burns along the edge.
Even if Brown is able to avoid the worst-case scenario, a multi-week absence is likely. That makes him a strong candidate for injured reserve, which would ensure at least four weeks on the sidelines. Missing considerably more time than that could cripple a defense which already gave up 47 points on Sunday. Brown played all but six defensive snaps against the Saints, but it will be quite some time until he next sees the field.
The Panthers electing for a cautious approach with the former top-10 pick would come as no surprise if a meniscus trim were to take place given his importance to the team. If a full repair is required, though, Brown will be hard-pressed to return in 2024. A’Shawn Robinson and Shy Tuttle represent Carolina’s other veteran D-linemen, and the team has a number of inexperienced options further down the depth chart.
More clarity on Brown’s status will emerge once his surgery takes place. In any event, however, he is facing a long-term absence and the Panthers are set to continue the 2024 season without their top defender.
Yikes. That could be another step toward the number one pick.
Free Bryce Young!