The Panthers have placed safety Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve after the eight-year vet suffered two concussions in the span of thirty days, the team announced today.
Searcy, who had seven tackles in the games he played this season after starting at safety both weeks, first suffered a concussion in the second preseason game of his 2018 campaign and then another this past Sunday in Atlanta – the UNC product was signed in the offseason to start alongside Mike Adams in a revamped secondary that featured second-round pick Donte Jackson and third-rounder Rashaan Gaulden; the other signing in the secondary, CB Ross Cockrell, was also placed on IR after breaking his leg during training camp.
The team is expected to utilize both veteran Colin Jones, who started seven games in 2017 and the rookie Gaulden in the secondary; fellow rookie Donte Jackson is battling a groin injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game – the team is expected to use both Jones and Gaulden at the safety spot in Searcy’s absence.
“They both are,” said Rivera. “We’re splitting reps right now [to] make sure they all get an opportunity to work, not just at Searcy’s position, but also working the other side as well with Mike. I’d anticipate both of them getting an opportunity – we’ve got three guys working two positions right now.”
The team is expected to look within the organization to take Searcy’s roster spot, per sources; second-year undrafted free agent Cole Luke, who missed all of last season, is currently listed on the practice squad roster as a safety.
Searcy is eligible to return after eight weeks on IR.
