Russell Okung has refuted a report that retirement was a consideration for him if the coronavirus pandemic worsened.

It was reported two weeks ago that the Carolina Panthers left tackle was evaluating whether to retire over coronavirus concerns if he felt the football environment was not safe.

Okung missed 10 games last season because of a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots.

"I always expected to play," he said. "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.

"Especially in this time, with so many people dealing with unemployment, to put any sort of farce information out there it's extremely disappointing."