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Dan Morgan
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Morgan expects to be ready for opener
Jul/30/07 03:38 PM | Permalink
SPARTANBURG, S.C. Dan Morgan strapped on his extra-padded helmet, adjusted his special mouthpiece and ran onto the field knowing some people think he's making a horrible decision.

The Carolina Panthers' linebacker is trying to return from at least the fifth concussion of his career, one that forced him to miss the final 15 games last season.

There are disturbing stories of the long-term effects of multiple blows to the head, from memory loss to dementia. But there was Morgan on Saturday morning, running around the practice field in a steady rain.
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Agent: Dan Morgan's health paramount
May/24/07 10:01 AM | Permalink
Colorful, candid NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus talked with the Observer's Charles Chandler before giving a speech at a Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon Wednesday. In the interview, Rosenhaus discussed controversies involving clients Clinton Portis and Terrell Owens and the prospects for Panthers clients Dan Morgan (linebacker) and Justin Hartwig (center-guard):

Q. Are you concerned about Morgan playing again despite his history of concussions? Of course, I'm concerned. I care about Dan, not as a client, but as a friend, as a brother. I'm concerned because of the severity of the situation, but I want to assure you we've been very thorough. We've been very careful. He's healthy, he's normal. He's got a normal baseline right now.
What may happen in the future? We're hoping for the best. But one thing I can promise you is we are not going to, in any capacity, risk it. If anything should happen, he'll retire.

Q. How does the Panthers picking the draft's top center, Southern Cal's Ryan Kalil, in the second round last month affect Justin Hartwig, who was slated to be Carolina's center when he signed a lucrative free agent deal last year? I talked to the team about it. I think the feeling is that Justin is one of the more versatile linemen. Justin can play guard. He was drafted as a tackle. He has a great deal of versatility. He's not the kind of player that a rookie is going to come in and beat him out. But he's an unselfish player and he'll play any position.
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Morgan back at work
May/06/07 09:45 AM | Permalink
One of the highlights of the Carolina Panthers' weekend minicamp is the return of linebacker Dan Morgan.

It's his first practice time since early last season; he missed all but one game in 2006 because of the latest in a series of concussions.

"I'm excited to be out here," said Morgan, who is reported to have suffered at least five concussions. "Just being around the guys again is really great."

Speculation swirled about Morgan's status for most of last season before doctors cleared him to play again.

"I'm not concerned," he said. "I'm not going to come out and be scared to hit anybody.
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Morgan returns to field confident despite concussions
May/04/07 09:56 PM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Just days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ordered all team doctors and trainers to attend a summit on concussions, Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan was back on the field.

Morgan, who has suffered at least five concussions in his career, has heard about the summit and the concussion symposium held last month in California. He knows about the stories of depression and memory loss from numerous ex-players. He knows Leigh Steinberg recently label concussions ``a health epidemic.''

But Morgan is determined to return to the game he loves. And on Friday, less than eight months after his most recent concussion, Morgan took part in the Panthers' opening minicamp practice.

``Obviously the words surrounding a concussion are me and some other guys. But I'm not concerned with it. It's out of my head,'' Morgan said. ``I really don't even want to talk about it. I want to move on and get on with my football career, play and have fun.''
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Morgan returns; decision thorough
Apr/01/07 12:19 PM | Permalink
PHOENIX --There was a time last fall when Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan said he was ready to play football. So did a Pittsburgh-based concussion specialist. Neither opinion really mattered.

"I said, `Dan, you're not going to play on our team until the doctors clear you,' " Jerry Richardson said.

Richardson, of course, is the owner of the Panthers. Richardson admitted Wednesday at the annual NFL meeting at the Arizona Biltmore that he exercised veto power on Morgan's comeback attempt after suffering at least his fifth reported concussion (dating back to college) in last season's opening game.
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Dan Morgan Update
Mar/03/07 10:06 AM | Permalink
Morgan's future with Carolina had been uncertain since he suffered at least the fifth concussion of his career in last season's opening game against Atlanta.

Doctors told him to sit out the final 15 games, and Morgan declared he was cleared to play in 2007 on Jan. 1, the day after the Panthers finished a disappointing 8-8 season.

The middle linebacker was due a $2 million roster bonus Thursday. The reworked deal makes his contract more salary-cap friendly.

Still, there are questions about Morgan's ability to stay on the field. He's missed 40 of 96 games in his six-year Panthers' career because of concussions and other injuries. Studies have shown players with multiple concussions are more likely to suffer additional concussions, and there are concerns about long-term damage.

(news-record.com)
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Morgan gets late, but great, Christmas gift
Jan/03/07 07:06 AM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan said yesterday he's been cleared to return to football next season despite multiple concussions.

Morgan suffered at least the fifth concussion of his career in the season opener against Atlanta and missed the rest of the season.

But Morgan said he was in Pittsburgh last week, where he took numerous tests, and a team of physicians led by concussion expert Dr. Mickey Collins gave him the OK to begin playing again during mini-camps in the spring.

Collins recommended in October that Morgan not return this season.

"It was real exciting. That was a great Christmas present, a late Christmas present," Morgan said yesterday. "I felt great. I felt I was going to do real well and I went up there and did real well on all my testing."

Morgan suffered his first concussion as a pro in 2003. He missed four more games in 2004 with another concussion. He then suffered one in the pre-season and another in the loss to Atlanta in Week 1 this year.

(edmontonsun.com)
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Butch Davis brings poise, presence (Dan Morgan Comments)
Nov/27/06 08:26 AM | Permalink
It was obvious Butch Davis was a big man with a bigger personality from the moment he walked through the door into Dan Morgan's home.

Davis, who's 6-foot-4, exuded a confidence that made him seem even larger on his recruiting visit with Morgan.

He was wearing one of the Super Bowl rings he had won as an assistant with the Dallas Cowboys. He seemed sure of himself as he made his pitch.

"He's definitely an imposing person when he walks into your living room," said Morgan, who played for Davis at Miami and now is a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers. "He definitely has a demeanor about him that's very professional and very confident."
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Dan Morgan Update
Nov/22/06 11:17 AM | Permalink
Panthers MLB Dan Morgan reiterated last week that his headaches and other symptoms relating to a season-ending concussion are gone and that he plans on returning next season. We hear the Panthers aren't as optimistic about Morgan's full return, and they are likely going to add more depth at the LB spot in the offseason.

(profootballnews.com)
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Morgan expects to play next season
Nov/16/06 09:18 AM | Permalink
Linebacker Dan Morgan reiterated Wednesday that he expects to return next season."I feel great; I'm ready to come back next year and get it rolling," he said before entering Bank of America Stadium to lift weights. "I've been sitting and watching the games, I feel totally fine and I'm ready to go."

Morgan was put on the injured reserve list and is out for the season after suffering a concussion in the season opener.

Morgan said he no longer has headaches or other symptoms from the concussion. He's scheduled to meet again in February with a doctor who specializes in the treatment of concussions.

"I definitely feel like I could be out there and making our defense even better, but it's easy saying that in the stands," he said. "The doctors wanted to make sure there were no problems next year, that's why they sat me the rest of this year. Nothing's guaranteed, but it's given me a great shot to come back next year and be real healthy."

(charlotte.com)
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Headed for trouble? - With a history of concussions, LB Dan Morgan faces a life-altering decision whether to return to NFL
Oct/13/06 09:16 PM | Permalink
Dan Morgan dodged a bullet Wednesday when he announced that he would sit out the rest of the NFL season after suffering at least the fifth and sixth concussions of his career this summer. Scratch that -- he dodged a cannonball.

If Morgan, the Carolina Panthers' star linebacker, had returned, research suggests that he would likely suffer at least a third concussion this season and join a long list of NFL players -- including Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Merril Hoge, Ted Johnson, Wayne Chrebet, Al Toon, Ed McCaffrey, Bill Romanowski, Chris Miller, Stan Humphries, Frank Wycheck and Bob Christian -- who have had to retire early because of post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
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Morgan's plight a sobering reminder for Panthers
Oct/12/06 11:57 PM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Chris Draft sometimes wonder why there aren't more head injuries in football.

"It's one of those things where we run out there and we have these helmets on our heads, but they say it's like a car wreck every time we hit somebody," the Carolina linebacker said. "We really just don't take care of our bodies too well by playing football. But we love playing it, so that's what we do."

Draft will start at middle linebacker for the Panthers on Sunday in place of Dan Morgan, who announced this week he'll sit out the rest of the season because of lingering effects from two concussions suffered in the preseason and in the opener against Atlanta.
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Panthers' LB Morgan done for season
Oct/12/06 01:19 AM | Permalink
Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Panthers announced that middle linebacker Dan Morgan will miss the rest of the season on Wednesday. The star linebacker is suffering from the effects of a concussion.

Morgan slammed his head on the turf in the Panthers' season-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He has not been able to practice since the injury.

"He did meet with the medical people and they felt it was in his best interest not to play the remainder of the season," Panthers coach John Fox said.
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Dan Morgan Update
Oct/11/06 08:58 AM | Permalink
Panthers MLB Dan Morgan, sidelined since Week 1 with a concussion, took his first step toward returning to game action by participating in individual drills in practice last week. While he's still likely several weeks away from returning to the starting lineup, we hear Morgan, who has suffered four documented concussions with the Panthers, is intent on playing in the NFL again.
(profootballweekly.com)
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Fox: Morgan's in shape to play when cleared medic
Oct/09/06 10:39 PM | Permalink
Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan, sidelined since the season opener with a concussion, continues to make progress towards a return.

"As far as exercise, he's been given the go-ahead," Panthers coach John Fox said this afternoon. "He's exercising extensively. Now we're just looking for the next step, but he'll continue to exercise.
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Fox: Morgan plans to play again
Oct/02/06 10:59 PM | Permalink
Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan is planning to play football again, Panthers coach John Fox said today at his weekly press conference.

"He wants to play again," Fox said. "He's not talking about walking away from it, no. That's his feelings."

Morgan has been sidelined since the first game of the regular season after suffering at least his fourth concussion as an NFL player. He has also suffered two other head-jarring incidents that were not necessarily concussions, and had another concussion in college.
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Panthers' Morgan still out
Sep/30/06 11:36 PM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE (AP) -- Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan and tight end Mike Seidman won't play Sunday against New Orleans.

Morgan hasn't played since suffering at least the fifth concussion of his career in the season opener against Atlanta. Seidman suffered a knee injury in last Sunday's win over Tampa Bay.
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News briefs: Panthers LB Morgan ruled out against Saints
Sep/27/06 10:34 PM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan and tight end Mike Seidman won't play Sunday against New Orleans.

Morgan hasn't played since suffering at least the fifth concussion of his career in the season opener against Atlanta. Seidman hurt his knee in last Sunday's win over Tampa Bay.

Coach John Fox said there is no target date for Morgan's return.
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Teammate says Morgan will return
Sep/17/06 03:55 PM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE -- When Carolina's Dan Morgan suffered another concussion in last Sunday's loss to Atlanta, questions were raised about his future.

But Adam Seward, who may replace him at middle linebacker in this Sunday's game, believes Morgan will be back.

"He's going to be fine. This isn't something that's career-ending. He's a great player and he's been in this situation before," Seward said.

Morgan has suffered at least five concussions since 2003. Medical studies have shown players who suffer multiple concussions are more susceptible to future head injuries.
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Dan Morgan will sit out Minnesota game
Sep/15/06 08:13 AM | Permalink
As expected, linebacker Dan Morgan will miss Sunday's game at Minnesota as he recovers from a concussion.

The Panthers officially declared Morgan out when they released Wednesday's injury report and it's likely he'll miss several more games.

The injury report also brought more news for an offensive line that already lost left tackle Travelle Wharton to a knee injury. Center Justin Hartwig now is listed as questionable with a groin injury and did not practice Wednesday. If Hartwig is unable to play, Geoff Hangartner or Will Montgomery could get increased playing time against Minnesota.
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Panthers' Morgan facing retirement
Sep/13/06 08:14 AM | Permalink
CHARLOTTE – Dan Morgan’s latest injury has fans debating whether or not he should call it quits.

During Sunday’s home-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Panther stand-out linebacker left the game after suffering a head injury in the first half. The injury occurred while Morgan was tackling Falcons’ running back Jerious Norwood. He did not return.

According to the NFL's website, it is at least Morgan’s fifth concussion since entering the league in 2001. Morgan has now missed seven full games and parts of six others due to concussions.

While the NFL injury report lists it as a concussion, doctors have another name for it: a brain injury.

“As you have more severe concussions or as they start to add up over time you can begin to experience more significant problems,” said Dr. Jim McDeavitt of the Carolinas Healthcare System.
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Morgan's health among questions for Panthers after blowout loss
Sep/12/06 10:10 AM | Permalink
Dan Morgan stood on the sideline, helmet off with no one around him, moments after suffering his latest concussion. He watched helplessly as Atlanta dominated his Carolina Panthers in the season opener.

The linebacker's uncertain future was one of many questions for the Panthers on Monday after a disastrous start to a season that some had guessed would end with Carolina in the Super Bowl.

The news got worse late Monday when the team announced left tackle Travelle Wharton was lost for the season with two torn ligaments in his left knee.

Morgan's concussion in the second quarter was at least the fifth of his career and he did not return in the 20-6 loss. Without Morgan anchoring the middle of the defense, the Falcons rushed for 252 yards, the second most allowed by Carolina in its 12-year history.

Morgan, the team's No. 1 pick in 2001, has been plagued by injuries in his career.
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Dan Morgan Update
Sep/11/06 09:20 AM | Permalink
Carolina officials have to be concerned that middle linebacker Dan Morgan suffered another concussion in Sunday's loss. Morgan, now in his sixth season, has to be nearing double-digit concussions. He's a terrific player, one of the best combination size-speed "Mike" linebackers in the league, but he missed an average of five games per year in his first five seasons. Morgan worked hard to avoid injuries this summer, but that hyperbaric chamber he brought to training camp this year isn't going to help him with concussions. "

(Espn.com)
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Dan Morgan Update
Aug/28/06 06:28 PM | Permalink
MLB Dan Morgan missed Carolina's third preseason game because he was suffering from a "minor head injury." While the Panthers aren't officially calling it a concussion, our sources tell us to keep a close eye on the situation because of Morgan's injury history. Morgan, the Panthers' most indispensable linebacker, has suffered multiple concussions in his five-year career and has never stayed healthy for all 16 games in the regular season.
(profootballweekly)
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