Nic Scourton knee injury forces Panthers linebacker off on cart at camp
Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton left the first training camp practice on a cart after hurting his right knee, with tests still to come.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Nic Scourton knee injury concerns hit the Carolina Panthers on the very first day of training camp Thursday, when the second-year outside linebacker was taken off the practice field on a cart after hurting his right knee, ESPN News Services reported.
The injury happened late in practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, on a wet field, according to ESPN News Services. Scourton went down, and Panthers players quickly gathered around him, taking a knee as medical staff attended to him.
Scourton was seen holding a hand over his face as he was helped toward the cart, ESPN News Services reported. Before the cart left the field, it stopped so coach Dave Canales and every player on the roster could come over and hug him.
He was then taken to the training room. The Panthers continued practicing afterward, according to the report.
How serious is Nic Scourton's knee injury?
The Panthers had not announced a diagnosis immediately after the injury. Canales said after practice that he did not want to guess about the injury and said he was “hoping for the best,” according to ESPN News Services.
Canales also said Scourton is set to have more testing on the knee. That means the team is still waiting for medical information before saying how long he could be out, if he misses time at all.
Why Scourton matters to the Panthers
Scourton is entering his second NFL season after a productive rookie year with Carolina. ESPN News Services reported that he played in all 17 games last season and made eight starts.
His rookie stat line gave the Panthers plenty to build on: 47 tackles, five sacks and nine quarterback hits. For a defense looking for pressure off the edge, those numbers made him a player to watch as camp opened.
A training camp injury can shift a player’s preseason quickly because teams use the opening practices to sort roles, timing and depth. For Scourton, the next step is medical testing, not roster speculation.
The Associated Press contributed to ESPN’s report.
What happened at Panthers training camp?
- Scourton injured his right knee late in Thursday’s practice, according to ESPN News Services.
- The practice field was wet when he went down, the report said.
- Players gathered around him on one knee before he was carted off.
- Canales and the full roster hugged him before he was taken to the training room.
- Canales said Scourton will undergo additional testing.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.