Panthers get worst-case news on Nic Scourton injury

Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Panthers get worst-case news on Nic Scourton injury

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jul 23, 2026 4:51 PM ET

Just as many feared the instant it happened, the Carolina Panthers will be without their second-year edge-rusher Nic Scourton for the entire 2026 season.

Nic Scourton has torn his ACL

It was reported early Thursday that Scourton had suffered a serious knee injury and was carted off during practice. The severity of the injury has now been revealed, and it is confirmed what many feared and the worst-case scenario.

According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Cameron Wolfe, imaging has revealed a full ACL tear for Scourton, which will cause him to miss the entire 2026 season.

Rapoport added that Scourton is seeking a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis before undergoing surgery.

Nic Scourton will seek a second opinion and if the ACL is confirmed, he'll have surgery in the coming weeks. The #Panthers are high on Scourton, who is just scratching the surface. https://t.co/vE8NHyxYnI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2026

Nic Scourton had an excellent rookie season

Scourton was a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, and he played up to that billing in his rookie season. He appeared in all 17 games, collecting 47 tackles and a team-high five sacks.

He also forced a fumble and even had a pass defended as an edge-rusher. Overall, it was a solid rookie season that left Panthers fans hopeful for the future of a promising young player.

Nic Scourton with the 4th sack of the game!!

This is the Panthers season-high of sacks so far for the year, per @josephperson #KeepPounding
pic.twitter.com/9TJcvbT6Sg
— SleeperPanthers (@SleeperCarolina) October 19, 2025

A replacement will be needed

When thinking of who could replace Scourton, Yardbarker's Zac Wassink immediately thought of Jadeveon Clowney as a potential replacement.

Clowney spent the 2024 season with Carolina, and it would make sense for a player familiar with the system to come in and help replace the production that Scourton would've been expected to provide.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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