The Carolina Panthers suffered a major blow on the first day of NFL training camp when second-year pass rusher Nic Scourton tore his right ACL. The injury occurred during team drills on Thursday morning and will sideline him for the entire 2026 season.
Scourton, a second-round pick in 2025, tied for the team lead with five sacks as a rookie. He was expected to start opposite newly signed Jaelan Phillips.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed after practice that Scourton had suffered a right knee injury and would undergo further testing. Ian Rapoport reported that Scourton could not put weight on his leg and teammates reacted emotionally as he was carted off the field.
The Panthers had invested heavily on defense this offseason, including a four-year, $120 million deal for Phillips. Scourton’s absence leaves the pass rush thinner as the team prepares for the season.