Chase Blackburn to miss preseason game, back injury not serious

Carolina Panthers linebacker Chase Blackburn will sit out Sunday's preseason game against Kansas City with a back injury but is not expected to miss an extended period of time after an MRI exam did not reveal any significant issues.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Chase Blackburn will sit out Sunday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a back injury but is not expected to miss an extended period of time after an MRI revealed no significant issues.

Blackburn missed practice Thursday after tweaking his back.

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The 31-year-old recorded 18 tackles in 13 games and seven starts for the Panthers last season. Blackburn is listed as the starter at strongside linebacker on the team's depth chart.

Carolina opens the regular season Sept. 7 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

LB Chase Blackburn (back) got good news on an MRI yesterday but won't play Sunday.

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 15, 2014

Chase Blackburn will miss Sunday's game with a back injury. MRI did not reveal any significant issues.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 15, 2014

- Chris Johnson