The initial reports said that Okung, who dealt with pulmonary embolism due to blood clots last season, had concerns whether playing football will be safe. The sources close to the player told ESPN at the time that the 31-year-old player was weighing his options and considered opting out as well as walking away from football.

Still,  Okung showed up for Panthers’ training camp and decided to use the recent chat with reporters to deny the retirement reports.

 “I always expected to play,” said Okung. “It’s unfortunate that so many people, certain people in the media, are more interested in being the first to report as opposed to reporting something that is accurate. No conversations like that have been had in order for that individual to feel it’s necessary to put any information out there like that.”

Russell Okung joined Carolina Panthers from LA Chargers in the offseason in a trade that saw guard Trai Turner head in the opposite way. Okung, who also played with Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, has 124 starts since entering the league in 2010. He won Super Bowl XLVIII with Seahawks and has two Pro Bowl appearances.

The post Panthers’ OT Russell Okung Denies Retirement Reports appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

In order to get Okung, Panthers will reportedly send Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner to Chargers.

Seeing Turner leave Carolina is certainly an unexpected development, as he made Pro Bowl in the last five seasons and still has two years left on his deal. However, the sources close to the situation say that the former third-round pick is asking for a new deal and will demand more than Panthers are willing to pay.

Okung, on the other hand, fills in a big need for Panthers. The team tried to find a permanent solution on the left tackle for years now, through draft and free agency but failed. They are now hoping that the 31-year-old veteran could finally give them some badly needed stability.

Russell Okung started his NFL career with Seattle Seahawks, who took him sixth overall in 2010. He spent six years in Seattle, winning a Super Bowl ring in the process, before going to Denver Broncos in 2106. Okung has been with the Chargers since 2017, starting 36 games in three seasons.

Trai Turner was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft by Panthers. Since then, he played 84 games in the league, starting 80. 

The post Panthers Send Pro Bowler Trai Turner to Chargers for LT Russell Okung appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The initial reports said that Okung, who dealt with pulmonary embolism due to blood clots last season, had concerns whether playing football will be safe. The sources close to the player told ESPN at the time that the 31-year-old player was weighing his options and considered opting out as well as walking away from football.

Still,  Okung showed up for Panthers’ training camp and decided to use the recent chat with reporters to deny the retirement reports.

 “I always expected to play,” said Okung. “It’s unfortunate that so many people, certain people in the media, are more interested in being the first to report as opposed to reporting something that is accurate. No conversations like that have been had in order for that individual to feel it’s necessary to put any information out there like that.”

Russell Okung joined Carolina Panthers from LA Chargers in the offseason in a trade that saw guard Trai Turner head in the opposite way. Okung, who also played with Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, has 124 starts since entering the league in 2010. He won Super Bowl XLVIII with Seahawks and has two Pro Bowl appearances.

The post Panthers’ OT Russell Okung Denies Retirement Reports appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

In order to get Okung, Panthers will reportedly send Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner to Chargers.

Seeing Turner leave Carolina is certainly an unexpected development, as he made Pro Bowl in the last five seasons and still has two years left on his deal. However, the sources close to the situation say that the former third-round pick is asking for a new deal and will demand more than Panthers are willing to pay.

Okung, on the other hand, fills in a big need for Panthers. The team tried to find a permanent solution on the left tackle for years now, through draft and free agency but failed. They are now hoping that the 31-year-old veteran could finally give them some badly needed stability.

Russell Okung started his NFL career with Seattle Seahawks, who took him sixth overall in 2010. He spent six years in Seattle, winning a Super Bowl ring in the process, before going to Denver Broncos in 2106. Okung has been with the Chargers since 2017, starting 36 games in three seasons.

Trai Turner was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft by Panthers. Since then, he played 84 games in the league, starting 80. 

The post Panthers Send Pro Bowler Trai Turner to Chargers for LT Russell Okung appeared first on yoursportspot.com.