Carolina Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns was at practice Friday, and despite his contract issues with the team, it seems like he will play in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.

“Frank Reich said ‘no update’ in Brian Burns situation. Burns returned to practice Wednesday-Friday amid contract dispute. Reich said he “looked good” at practice,” NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe tweeted Friday afternoon. “No official word on Sunday vs. Falcons yet but trending towards Burns being out there.”

Burns playing on Sunday would be a huge boost for Frank Reich’s team, as the squad is already without wide receiver DJ Chark in No. 1 pick Bryce Young’s debut and may be missing WR Adam Thielen as well.

Brian Burns has been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL the last few seasons and wants a new contract that reflects that fact. The two-time Pro Bowler has 9.0, 9.0, and 12.5 sacks in his last three seasons.

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The 2019 No. 16 overall pick is now in the fifth-year option of his rookie deal that will pay him $16 million this season after making $13.5 million in his first four years. Burns and the organization that drafted him are reportedly still a ways apart on a long-term deal ahead of the Panthers Week 1 game against the Falcons.

If a deal doesn’t get done soon, Burns could stage a holdout, ala Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. The All-Pro DT has now missed the Chiefs’ Week 1 contest, and his team lost without him to the Detroit Lions.

Without Burns, the Panthers defense, which finished 19th in points allowed last season, would get significantly worse.