The Carolina Panthers opened training camp this week ahead of their NFL preseason Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals. And on the first day of training camp practice, the Panthers’ defense suffered a brutal blow.

Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during practice on Thursday. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe delivered a report with the breaking news on ESPN.

Breaking News: Carolina Panthers LB Nic Scourton tore his ACL in his right knee during the team’s first day of training camp Thursday, sources told NFL Network’s @RapSheet and @CameronWolfe.

More about the news: pic.twitter.com/H5oXY6uBSD

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 23, 2026

Scourton, 21, was selected by the Panthers in the second round (51st overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. The edge rusher started eight games in his rookie season, and he finished with five sacks, tied for first on Carolina. Pro Football Focus credited Scourton with 34 pressures.

It was expected that Scourton would be a key part of the Carolina defense in 2026, and it was easy to see a potential leap into stardom for the highly talented pass rusher.

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Scourton starred at Purdue and had a Big Ten-leading 10 sacks in the 2023 college football season before transferring to Texas A&M, where he had five sacks in 2024.

This is extremely unfortunate for Scourton, and it’s a big loss for the Carolina defense.

The Panthers did sign Jaelan Phillips, formerly of the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, to a four-year, $120 million contract over the offseason. The veteran edge rusher had five sacks last season (three sacks with the Dolphins, two with the Eagles).

Patrick Jones and Princely Umanmielen are expected to be options to replace Scourton as a starting edge rusher for Carolina.

Most NFL teams report to training camp next week, but the Panthers and Cardinals got started already, with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game set for Aug. 6. No other teams have an NFL preseason game until Aug. 13.