Carolina Panthers' pass rush struggles after Nic Scourton's injury

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 11:15 AM

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

Carolina Panthers' pass rush struggles after Nic Scourton's injury
Summary

The Carolina Panthers are facing a challenging start to the 2026 training camp following the season-ending injury of outside linebacker Nic Scourton. Scourton suffered a torn ACL, leaving the team with the NFL's second-worst pass rush ranking at 31st overall. The Panthers have also dealt with additional injuries, including tight end Mitchell Evans and rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, which raises concerns about depth on their defense. Despite the setbacks, the team is looking to improve from last season, where they tied for the third-fewest sacks. The addition of Jaelan Phillips is expected to help, but the pass rush's performance is in jeopardy if further injuries occur.

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Status Watch
  • Nic Scourton's injury leaves a significant gap in the pass rush.
  • Panthers ranked 31st in pass rush effectiveness following injuries.
  • Mitchell Evans and Chris Brazzell II also suffered injuries during camp.
  • Carolina tied for third-fewest sacks in 2024 and 2025.
  • Jaelan Phillips' arrival aims to boost the pass rush this season.
Latest Updates
  • 11:15 AMYahoo SportsPanthers' pass rush ranked 2nd-worst in NFL after Nic Scourton's season-ending injury
What they're saying
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Last week's season-ending injury to OLB Nic Scourton certainly changed the outlook for the Panthers' pass rush in 2026.

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