Nic Scourton‘s rookie campaign may not start on time. The Panthers edge rusher is currently dealing with a collapsed lung, as noted by head coach Dave Canales.
After suffering from heat-related symptoms, Scourton was taken to hospital in Houston, the site of Carolina’s preseason game on Saturday. Per Canales, the second-rounder is now heading (by car, rather than through the air) back to Charlotte. He added (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) Scourton is currently week-to-week.
Leading up to the draft, the Panthers were named as a strong candidate to add a pass rusher during the first round. Instead, the team went with Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8, electing to double down on the Day 2 options along the edge. Scourton was selected 51st overall, and Carolina also took Princely Umanmielen in the third round.
Given the decision to release veteran Jadeveon Clowney after one season in Carolina, both rookies are in position to handle a notable role in 2025. Scourton had a productive two-year run at Purdue, leading the Big Ten in sacks during his sophomore campaign. He spent last season at Texas A&M and added another five sacks to his career total while remaining strong against the run. The soon-to-be 21-year-old could see his early regular season usage drop in the wake of today’s development, though, in the event he is healthy by Week 1.
In addition to Umanmielen, the Panthers have D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones in position to handle a notable workload along the edge. Wonnum joined Carolina in free agency last spring, collecting four sacks in eight games. Jones followed the same path in 2025, and coming off a career-high seven sacks last season he will be counted on to provide a consistent pass rush presence on what was the NFL’s worst defense in 2024. In time, Scourton will look to develop into a key member of the team’s edge contingent; for now, though, his attention will turn to recovery.