Panthers' Nic Scourton leaves Houston before preseason game with collapsed lung

Mike Kaye, The Charlotte Observer on Aug 16, 2025

Published in Football

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HOUSTON — The Carolina Panthers could be without rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton for quite a while after the second-round pick was diagnosed with a collapsed lung before the team’s 20-3 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Scourton, 20, left Thursday’s joint practice with what were called heat-related symptoms at the time. According to head coach Dave Canales, Scourton’s symptoms worsened, and he was admitted to a local hospital for further observation.

While his symptoms initially presented as heat exhaustion, he was later diagnosed with the collapsed lung and driven back to Charlotte as a precaution, according to Canales.

“We’ll keep evaluating him,” Canales said. “I don’t know a timeline; it’s really week to week with those types of things. I’ve heard from the trainers and different coaches that have been around this, where a guy played the next week, but just we’ve got be smart with that one, and I’ll let you know where we’re at once we get back to Charlotte.”

Scourton, the first of the team’s two outside linebackers selected on draft weekend in March, was having a strong summer. He also made an impressive hustle play on a sack in the preseason-opening loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Panthers are hoping that Scourton can be part of the long-term solution to improve the pass rush, along with third-round pick Princely Umanmielen, who had a strong performance against Houston on Saturday.

Umanmielen played a large chunk of the snaps Saturday with Scourton sidelined, and he finished with three tackles and two QB hits.

“Just weekly growth — daily growth,” Canales said about Umanmielen’s performance. “I think, with young players, they make their biggest strides — like their growth curve is so huge — early on. The style of play that we’re looking for, the techniques that we’re asking for, and that’s just what I’ve just seen from the group in general, but for sure with Princely. Just wanting to be a complete player and knowing that potential out there for him to establish that physicality against the run but also give us the pass rush we know he has.”

With Scourton’s health being monitored on a week to week basis, the Panthers might need to be creative with their 53-man roster decisions ahead of the Aug. 26 cut deadline.

Scourton, the 51st overall pick in this year’s draft, could end up being placed on injured reserve with a return designation, allowing the Panthers to keep an extra pass rusher in his absence.

Patrick Jones and DJ Wonnum are expected to front the group with Scourton and Umanmielen presumably taking on notable roles in the rotation. Thomas Incoom has been a summer standout, and he and former third-round pick, DJ Johnson could theoretically factor into the roster math. Veteran journeyman Boogie Basham could also receive consideration.

As of right now, though, Scourton’s teammates and coaches are more concerned about the rookie’s health and well-being.

“Definitely praying for him,” quarterback Bryce Young said after the preseason loss. “He’s a warrior. I saw him day of joint practice at the time, kind of presented as heat-induced (exhaustion). And (he had) a great attitude, just obviously you could tell he was going through something, but, ‘I’m good, I’m good. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.’ That’s the competitor he is. That’s the fighter he is.

“So, obviously, we trust our medical staff — we have the best in the business here — they’ll take care of that, whatever it is. But just praying for him.”

Quick hits

— Backup QB Andy Dalton suffered a right elbow sprain in the loss to the Texans, according to Canales. Dalton told the head coach that he felt fine, but the veteran signal-caller will undergo imaging on the injury when the team returns to Charlotte.

— Rookie defensive tackle Cam Jackson, one of the team’s two fifth-round picks, has been dealing with a shoulder injury, according to Canales. He has missed the past three practices and Saturday’s preseason game with the injury. Canales said he is hopeful that Jackson can return next week for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The head coach said his return will be based on getting strength back in the injured shoulder.