Nic Scourton injury update: Latest news on Panthers LB carted off field in tears after ‘significant’ knee injury

On Thursday, Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton went down with what appeared to be a serious right knee injury.

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The 2025 second-round pick was reportedly in tears and could not put any weight on his right leg, according to Cameron Wolfe. Scourton underwent tests to determine how severe the injury was and how long his absence will impact the team’s defense.

Tests revealed the worst: a torn ACL for the second-year player, which would sideline him for the entire 2026-27 season.

Here’s the latest on Carolina’s young defensive starter going down on the first day of training camp.

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Nic Scourton injury update

On Thursday morning, news broke regarding Scourton’s injury during the first day of the Panthers’ training camp. The linebacker went down and was carted off after being unable to put any weight on his right leg, according to Cameron Wolfe.

Nic Scourton was unable to put any pressure on his right leg. It appears significant. Trainers were looking at his right knee. Teammates near him were very emotional with their frustration.

Scourton, 2025 2nd rd pick, had 5 sacks last year & was expected to have huge Year 2. https://t.co/V0rb0X6Prr

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 23, 2026

The 2025 second-round pick underwent tests after the injury, where it was shared that the linebacker would be out for the entire 2026-27 season with a torn ACL, according to Ian Rapoport. Scourton will also receive a second opinion; if his torn ACL is confirmed, he will get surgery, per Rapoport.

#Panthers promising young LB Nic Scourton, who went down in practice with a knee injury that left him in tears, suffered a torn ACL, sources told me and @CameronWolfe. He’s done for the season. pic.twitter.com/7zf0bpFWNb

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— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2026

Along with Scourton being moved to tears, his Carolina teammates were reportedly «very emotional with their frustration,» and the entire team came to give him an embrace before he left.

Here’s what Panthers head coach Dave Canales said about the injury, including that he didn’t want to speculate.

Dave Canales said Nic Scourton will undergo testing this afternoon, on what appears to be a right knee injury.

I asked him about the decision to stop practice for teammates to see him off.

“I just know how much these guys mean to each other.” #Panthers | @wsoctv https://t.co/tAqKDfm9hY pic.twitter.com/YMc8MMzctz

— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) July 23, 2026

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What happened to Nic Scourton?

During team drills on the first day of Carolina’s training camp, Scourton reportedly went down with a right knee injury. The 21-year-old was heading into his second season in the NFL after accumulating 47 tackles and five sacks during his rookie season.

According to Canales, the linebacker underwent further tests to determine what the specific injury was and how much time he will miss, per Adam Schefter. It was later determined he had torn his ACL and would miss the entire 2026-27 NFL season.

Panthers HC Dave Canales said LB Nic Scourton suffered a right knee injury and he will undergo additional testing to determine the severity of the injury.

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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 23, 2026

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Nic Scourton stats