Randall Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan will play in a game for the first time since suffering at least the fifth concussion of his career on Friday against New England. "It's been almost a year now since I've played in a game, so obviously I'm real excited," Morgan said Monday. "I'm going to go out and have fun. This is what I love to do." Morgan, who suffered his first concussion with the Panthers in 2003, had a concussion in the preseason last year, and another one in Carolina's season-opening loss to Atlanta. He sat out the final 15 games, but in January was cleared by doctors to return to football. Morgan increasingly was involved in more contact drills as training camp moved on. He dressed but was held out of the Panthers' first two preseason games. "It was a little bit of a tease, but I understood what they were doing," Morgan said. "I was fine with it." But Morgan, who said he'll play about a quarter against the Patriots, wanted to get into at least one exhibition game before the regular-season opener at St. Louis on Sept. 9. "Me and Coach Fox talked about that," Morgan said. "Do I feel like I could go out and not play preseason and play in St. Louis? Yeah, but I'd like to go out there and get that feel back, that game feel back." Morgan's return coincides with increasing concern about the long-term effects of concussions. Several former players have complained of memory loss and depression. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ordered all team doctors and trainers to attend a summit earlier this summer on concussions. The league announced last week a telephone hotline was being put in place to make it easier to report when a player with a head injury is being forced to practice or play against medical advice. But Morgan, who has been wearing a special helmet with extra padding, said he won't feel any apprehension before kickoff Friday night at Bank of America Stadium. "Absolutely not. I feel great," Morgan said. "I've had a lot of hits out here. I've got no worries." Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Even as a Saints fan I'm hoping the best for this guy. I just don't know if I could risk turning my brain to mush to play football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PantherDave Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 I've had that funny feeling for about two weeks now that some how, some way he plays 16 this year....why, I don't know, but it's there..that intuition. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 I've had that funny feeling for about two weeks now that some how, some way he plays 16 this year....why, I don't know, but it's there..that intuition. We shall see. That would be a surprise. Doesn't he play with a lot of abandon and throw his body around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 I've had that funny feeling for about two weeks now that some how, some way he plays 16 this year....why, I don't know, but it's there..that intuition. We shall see. It would be the first time in his career. My take, he doesnt make it past week 2 as the starter in the middle. Beason will be the Panthers Mike by week 3 imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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