Nic Scourton torn ACL hits Panthers on first day of training camp
Panthers pass rusher Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL after being carted off during team drills, putting Carolina’s edge depth in focus.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Nic Scourton torn ACL news landed on the Carolina Panthers’ first day of training camp, cutting into the buzz around the reigning NFC South champions before the pads had barely started popping.
CBS Sports reported that Scourton, an expected starter at pass rusher, was carted off Thursday after hurting his right knee during team drills. Panthers coach Dave Canales confirmed to reporters after practice that Scourton had a right knee injury and said he would have imaging before the team discussed the severity.
ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe reported from camp that the injury appeared significant and that Scourton’s teammates were emotional and frustrated around him. The Charlotte Observer reported that Scourton was not putting pressure on his right knee.
What happened to Nic Scourton?
Scourton was injured during team drills on the opening day of Panthers training camp and left the field on a cart, according to ESPN and CBS Sports. Canales later identified it as a right knee injury, while CBS Sports reported the diagnosis as a torn ACL.
A torn ACL is a serious knee injury involving the anterior cruciate ligament, one of the key stabilizing ligaments in the knee. Teams typically use imaging to confirm the damage and determine the next steps for treatment and recovery.
The timing is rough for Carolina. Scourton had been lined up to start opposite Jaelan Phillips, the free-agent edge rusher the Panthers signed after an offseason push to beef up the defense.
Scourton, the No. 51 overall pick out of Texas A&M in the 2025 NFL Draft, made an immediate dent as a rookie. CBS Sports reported that he tied Derrick Brown for the Panthers’ team lead with five sacks despite making eight official starts.
He also finished his rookie season with 47 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, one pass defended and one forced fumble across 17 games, according to CBS Sports.
Who could replace Nic Scourton for the Panthers?
If Scourton is out for a long stretch, CBS Sports identified Princely Umanmielen and Patrick Jones II as possible options to take on more work.
Umanmielen was a third-round pick by Carolina out of Ole Miss in 2025. He did not make an official start as a rookie, but CBS Sports reported that he played 16 games and posted 24 tackles with 1.5 sacks.
Jones joined the Panthers last offseason after four years with the Minnesota Vikings. His first season in Carolina was cut short by a back injury after four games, in which he recorded nine tackles and one sack, according to CBS Sports.
The injury also lands after Carolina spent heavily on defense. CBS Sports reported that Phillips signed a four-year, $120 million deal, the largest free-agent contract given out by any team this offseason.
The Panthers also added linebacker Devin Lloyd on a three-year, $42 million contract after what CBS Sports described as a career year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Carolina went 8-9 last season and still won the NFC South. Scourton’s injury puts an early test in front of a defense that had been rebuilt with big expectations and big money before camp opened.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.