Panthers' Nic Scourton Carted Off With Knee Injury on Camp's Opening Day
The second-year edge rusher was in tears as he left a wet practice field Thursday, with head coach Dave Canales confirming an MRI is next.
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton was carted off the practice field with a right knee injury during the team's first day of training camp on Thursday. Scourton went down on a wet field late in practice during team drills, and players immediately gathered around him. Head coach Dave Canales said he does not yet know the extent of the injury but confirmed Scourton will undergo an MRI.
What happened to Nic Scourton?
Scourton went down on a slick practice field late in Thursday's session, the Panthers' first training camp practice of the summer, and was unable to put pressure on his right leg. Players and coaches gathered around him on the field, and by the time the cart pulled away, Canales and the entire roster had individually stopped to offer support. Reporters on hand described Scourton, 21, in tears as he left the field. Canales told reporters afterward that he does not know the extent of the injury and that Scourton will have an MRI exam to determine next steps.
What role was Scourton set to play in 2026?
Entering just his second NFL season, Scourton was penciled in to start opposite Jaelan Phillips, whom Carolina added in free agency this offseason, giving the Panthers a pass-rushing pair they hoped would anchor the defensive front. Losing him for any stretch of time, let alone camp's opening day, disrupts that plan before a single padded practice. The severity of the injury, and how much time it costs him, now hinges on Thursday's MRI results.
What's next for the Panthers' defensive front?
Carolina will lean on its other edge options in camp while it awaits word on Scourton's diagnosis. The emotional scene on the field, with the full roster stopping to check on him as he left, underscored how significant the injury looked in the moment even before any test results are known. The team has not given a timetable and is not expected to until the MRI is read.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Panthers' Scourton carted off with knee injury on 1st day of camp
Carolina Panthers betting odds
Super Bowl futures, win totals & where to bet
FanDuel Sportsbook: New-customer welcome offer. New customers only. First online real-money wager only. Any bonus is issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire; eligibility and restrictions apply. See the current offer and full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ and present in select states. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in FanCash Matched Bets. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV or WY. Apply the promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting the day of account creation. FanCash rewards equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash per day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply - see the Fanatics Sportsbook app.
21+ and present in a state where Fanatics Sportsbook operates. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Touchdown Week may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no cost to you. Please bet responsibly.
