Branch to the IR

[Dukesuckgounc]

If feel sorry for him.But it not a big lost.We should be fine without him.It not like he was one of the best player on the panthers

Posted on Sun, Aug. 21, 2005


PATRICK SCHNEIDER, Staff
Carolina safety Colin Branch will miss the entire season after suffering a major knee injury in Saturday night's preseason loss to the Giants.


Carolina Panthers safety Colin Branch will miss the entire season after suffering a major knee injury in Saturday night's preseason loss to the New York Giants.

Immediately after the game, Branch and team officials were hoping the injury was only a sprained medial collateral ligament. But further tests Sunday revealed Branch tore both the MCL and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee. He will require surgery and will placed on the injured reserve list.

Branch, a third-year pro, had used training camp to gain the edge in the battle for the starting free safety position. Idrees Bashir, a free agent pickup from Indianapolis, took over for Branch after the first-quarter injury.

Bashir, a starter for four seasons in Indianapolis, seems to be the likely candidate to take over the starting job. But there are other possibilities. Marlon McCree, another free agent pickup, has been a starter for much of his career.

The Panthers also could consider moving rookie Thomas Davis from outside linebacker to safety. Davis had worked as a backup safety in June workouts and the first two weeks of training camp. He moved to outside linebacker last week because the team was concerned about depth at the position after an injury to Brandon Short. At that time, the coaching staff said Davis would stay at linebacker and be allowed to focus on one position.

• In other news, veteran running back Stephen Davis could make his training camp debut as early as today. Davis has been on the active/physically unable to perform list since the start of camp as the team brought him back slowly from microfracture knee surgery. Team officials believe Davis is ready to practice early this week and he could be on the field today if there are no complications and he passes a physical. If Davis begins practicing, it's likely the team will bring him along slowly.

He likely would alternate his participation in practices at first. He also probably wouldn't be used in Friday night's preseason game at Cleveland. A more likely target for return to game action would be the Sept. 1 exhibition finale against Pittsburgh.

 

[Wp28]

thanks

 

[cathead]

thanks

Is that bright spot on the left Dukey's home base? You found Dukey's house, didn't you?

 

[mathmajors]

thanks

Told you.

 

[lde]

Too bad for him. I beleive the coaches were pleased with something, and I saw improvement myself, but I saw the same kind of hesitation before the tackle. That gets you hurt. I am sorry he's injured, but its time for us to move on. And not to Davis.

One of the articles pointed out that Hampton can also play S, and he may not make the team as a CB.

 

[Wp28]

Too bad for him. I beleive the coaches were pleased with something, and I saw improvement myself, but I saw the same kind of hesitation before the tackle. That gets you hurt. I am sorry he's injured, but its time for us to move on. And not to Davis.

One of the articles pointed out that Hampton can also play S, and he may not make the team as a CB.

I don't know this, just speculation, but if Short isn't as bad as first feared and with the depth we have at LB - I'd bet 47 rolls back to safety this week.

 

[Toll Booth Willie]

Can Wesley play FS? He looks strong at corner..

 

[The Brain]

I don't know this, just speculation, but if Short isn't as bad as first feared and with the depth we have at LB - I'd bet 47 rolls back to safety this week.

I was thinking that too.

 

[The Brain]

Can Wesley play FS? He looks strong at corner..

Hell his ass should be at safety.

 

[magnus]

Everyone's always kicked around Wesley at S except the team. It's bizarre. He can hit, his ST skill show that. He can cover, and he's too big for corner in this league, some might say. I do think he's too stiff to be a starter, but everything else is there. So safety? Someone will, one day, put him there. Maybe not here.

Meanwhile, we've got plenty of safeties. Bashir, McCree, Minter, Emanuel. Put the best of the first three out there on the field, and go. Davis isn't going anywhere, or to put that better he's still going to be around, so don't rush him. Once the regular season starts, and he's a ST hellion and situational hitman, the light will come on and his strengths will improve this team.