Oren Burks started four games at linebacker for the Green Bay Packers last season. He was set to start a lot more this year, but now he could be sitting a while. The report is that Burks tore his pectoral Friday, with more tests scheduled.
Burks was a third round pick out of Vanderbilt last season. He played in 14 games for the Packers with 24 tackles. The Packers shed linebackers all offseason, including stalwarts Nick Perry and Clay Matthews, who is now with the Los Angeles Rams. Perry is still a free agent.
Packers LB Oren Burks is believed to have a torn pectoral muscle, according to a source. More tests are scheduled to determine the course of action, but given that Burks was penciled in as a starter in the base defense, it leaves a hole in the D.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 10, 2019
With the full extent not yet know, head coach Matt LaFleur is hopeful Burks won’t miss much time after the injury suffered in Friday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans.
“Honestly, I don’t really know anything right now,” LaFleur said. “It’s kind of wait and see, but I hope not.”
Burks was starting on the depth chart as an inside linebacker. His backup, James Crawford, was an undrafted free agent out of Illinois last season. They have 2019 seventh-round pick Ty Summers out of TCU available as well. UDFA Curtis Bolton took Burks’ spot in practice Saturday.
Arizona Cardinals cut Darius Philon
Darius Philon was arrested Friday morning for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. A day later, he’s out of a job.
.@AZCardinals cut Darius Philon after his arrest.https://t.co/OVvLzLa9Hm
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) August 10, 2019
Philon, a defensive tackle, allegedly used a gun to threaten a stripper outside a club back in May, according to a police report. Philon was originally a sixth round pick by the then San Diego Chargers out of Arkansas in 2015. Last season he started 13 games for the Chargers, played in 16 and recorded 33 tackles, seven for a loss, four sacks and a forced fumble.
The Cards now have to eat $1 million of Philon’s contract. They just signed him to a two-year deal, $10 million deal and that much was guaranteed. They also lose his $4 million signing bonus.
