Panthers' Burns leaving 'emotions at the door' amid contract talks

With Brian Burns in his fifth season in the NFL, as well as his first as an impending free agent, the Carolina Panthers outside linebacker says he's learning how to separate business from football.

"Just understanding it, just understanding how things work," Burns said, according to team reporter Darin Gantt. "Like this was my first rodeo, but still, I know business is business, and you've got to leave your emotions at the door."

The two-time Pro Bowler is in the midst of contract negotiations while in the final year of his rookie deal. Burns missed two practices prior to Carolina's season opener, and he admitted that he'd considered sitting out Week 1 at one point, Gantt notes. He would've lost $900,000 for every missed game, The Associated Press' Charles Odum reports.

However, after participating in three straight practices before Sunday, Burns tallied seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a tackle for loss against the Atlanta Falcons.

"I think Brian played today like he practiced, and that's hard," head coach Frank Reich said postgame Sunday, per Gantt.

Burns credits fellow pass-rusher Justin Houston for telling him to "just cut off the world" during the season. The 25-year-old defender also said he decided not to hold out in part because his teammates had his back.

"That was one of the main reasons why I came to camp and did everything, (which) is to ... show them that I got them," Burns said.

The Florida State product has tallied 203 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, and 39.5 sacks during his career.