Derrick Brown returned to the field for the Carolina Panthers during their preseason game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, marking his first appearance since suffering a meniscus tear in Week 1 of the 2024 season. Brown’s injury had kept him sidelined for nearly a year, during which he focused on rehabilitation and physical training.
Head coach Dave Canales initially did not plan to play Brown in the game. However, Brown persistently requested an opportunity to participate.
“Oh, he was begging me,” Canales said after the game. “It wasn’t my intention to play Derrick, I’ll be honest, and he was like, ‘Coach, I just got to get out there. I got to get my hands on somebody.’ And he was wearing (defensive line) coach (Todd) Wash too, and I just love the fact he wants to be out there with his guys.”
Canales added: “He wanted to be able to see game speed, be able to get his hands on something and knock something back, and so I was really excited to see Derrick back out there.”
Brown participated in two series along with the starting defense. His return brought visible energy to both teammates and coaches.
“It was very few, but it was good to be back out here,” Brown said during a sideline interview with the Panthers Television Network. “Just trusting the process throughout this whole past year, begging to just get something out here today.”
Earlier in camp, a rib/oblique injury prevented Brown from taking part in joint practices and the team’s first preseason matchup against Cleveland. Being able to practice with teammates this week and play in Saturday’s game marked progress for Brown as he aims for a full return. In 2023, before his injury-shortened campaign last season, Brown set a single-season record for most tackles by a defensive lineman with 103.
“I was able to be out here with the team,” Brown continued. “So, I was excited to be able to go out there and just kind of set the tone from the beginning of the week, showing up here, doing a joint practice, and then just rolling into this game and being able to be with my teammates.”
