NFC South
Carolina Panthers
AI Summary
The Panthers enter 2026 off an 8-8 finish that delivered the franchise's first NFC South title in a decade, and camp has centered on whether QB Bryce Young's late-2025 breakout was real as he plays out a pivotal contract year. Carolina overhauled its pass rush this offseason, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd after finishing near the bottom of the league in sacks in 2025, but camp opened with a gut punch when second-year edge Nic Scourton tore his ACL on the first padded practice and was lost for the season. Starting right tackle Taylor Moton will also miss the start of the year after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung, pushing rookie first-rounder Monroe Freeling and free-agent addition Rasheed Walker into larger roles up front. Most preseason projections still list Carolina near the top of a relatively weak NFC South (win total around 7.5, ranked roughly 19th-22nd league-wide) despite forecasts of the division's toughest schedule.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Key Storylines
- Bryce Young enters a contract year looking to prove his strong 2025 finish (NFC South title, 8-8) was sustainable
- Panthers signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and LB Devin Lloyd to fix a pass rush that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in sacks in 2025
- Second-year edge Nic Scourton suffered a season-ending torn ACL on the first day of camp, drawing an NFLPA investigation into how it happened during the contact-restricted acclimation period
- RT Taylor Moton (blood clot in lung) will miss the start of the season, thrusting rookie Monroe Freeling and free-agent signee Rasheed Walker into the tackle rotation
- Running back competition between Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, and newly signed veteran AJ Dillon after Rico Dowdle departed for Pittsburgh in free agency
Injury Report
Nic Scourton · Edge/OLB
IR (out for season)
Suffered a torn ACL during the first padded practice of training camp on July 23 and was placed on injured reserve. The timing, during the CBA's no-contact acclimation period, prompted an NFLPA investigation into the Panthers' practice conduct.
Taylor Moton · RT
NFI / expected to miss start of season
Diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung in late July; on blood thinners and monitored daily by team medical staff, with no firm return timetable.