Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the first day of training camp on Thursday.
The second-year player, selected 51st overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, went down late in practice on a wet field during team drills while engaged with an offensive lineman. He was carted off as teammates and coach Dave Canales gathered to offer hugs and support.
Scourton will seek a second opinion.
The injury represents a significant setback for a defense that viewed him as a key pass rusher opposite free-agent addition Jaelan Phillips. As a rookie, Scourton played all 17 games with eight starts, recording 47 tackles, 5.0 sacks and nine QB hits.
Canales praised the team’s response, noting the strong bonds formed through shared work. Quarterback Bryce Young remained nearby as trainers tended to Scourton and later led teammates in prayer.
“I’m proud of the fact that the first thought in guys’ minds isn’t, ‘Are we going to have Nic for the season? It was, ‘How is Nic?’ And guys are checking on him,” Canales said, via Panthers.com. “They care about each other. Whenever you’re in a group of people, doing something hard together, it has a way of creating a special bond, and between all the workouts and going through a full season and an offseason and all that, it means something for the guys, and I’m proud of that.”
The Panthers quickly agreed to terms with outside linebacker Cam Gill, who appeared in 10 games for Carolina in 2024 and recently earned UFL Defensive Player of the Year honors with 11.0 sacks for the Louisville Kings.
Depth options also include Patrick Jones II and Princely Umanmielen.
