Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton was carted off the field during the team's initial training camp practice on Thursday due to a right knee injury. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed the injury, stating Scourton was unable to put pressure on his leg. The young linebacker was reportedly in tears as he left the field, with teammates surrounding him.
Scourton is scheduled to undergo imaging on his knee Thursday afternoon, but Canales offered no further updates on the severity of the injury. The 21-year-old was a second-round pick by the Panthers in 2025 and showed significant promise during his rookie season.
In his debut campaign, Scourton recorded five sacks, 47 tackles, and forced one fumble across all 17 games. While he started only two of the team's first six games, he emerged as a key contributor later in the season, starting six of the final eight contests and the team's playoff game against the Rams. His potential for a "sophomore leap" was a significant storyline for the Panthers' pass rush heading into the 2026 season.
The Panthers' pass rush ranked last in the NFL last year with a 26.2 percent pressure rate. In response, general manager Dan Morgan signed former Dolphins and Eagles pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal. Phillips, a first-round pick in 2021, has a history of injuries but has accumulated 28 career sacks. The team also added linebacker Devin Lloyd to bolster the defense.
Following their first NFC South title since 2015 and their first playoff appearance since 2017, the Panthers are set to open their 2026 season at home against the Bears on September 13.