Nic Scourton returned to Carolina's practice field Monday just days after a collapsed lung during joint work with Houston. He wasn’t in team drills, but he ran and moved, with medical staff closely watching oxygen levels and progress. The Panthers view the 20-year-old, 51st overall pick in the 2025 draft, as day-to-day in his ramp back.

Scourton’s rookie status and pre-injury role are now tempered by a medical scare, yet the early signal is encouraging. He did play in Carolina’s first preseason game against Cleveland, finishing with two tackles and a sack, suggesting upside if he can stay healthy and regain full practice participation. His return will influence the Panthers’ linebacker rotation and depth as he increases workload gradually.

Nic Scourton, the Panthers’ 2025 second-round pick, was hospitalized after a collapsed lung suffered during a joint practice with Houston. He’s listed as week-to-week and out for a game due to illness, while Panthers coach Dave Canales described the play as highly physical and the breathing difficulty as the clue that prompted cooling measures rather than a return to practice. Scourton’s pro debut came in Carolina’s first preseason game against Cleveland, where he logged two tackles and a sack. His college ascent—10 sacks in 2023 at Purdue before transferring to Texas A&M—frames him as a high-upside edge getter, though this injury introduces significant rookie-year risk for fantasy rosters and dynasty plans. The injury reshapes Carolina’s defensive-front depth and adds uncertainty to the Panthers’ future rush plans as they navigate Scourton’s recovery while staying plugged into preseason chatter and practice updates.

In the immediate fantasy calculus, Scourton’s absence will test Carolina’s depth at outside linebacker and defensive end, and managers should monitor daily health notes and practice surges. While his speed and production history suggest long-term upside, the timeline for a full return remains unclear, potentially delaying early-season contributions. For now, Scourton remains a speculative hold in deeper dynasty leagues, with a wait-and-see approach in shallower formats. The Texans’ involvement in the incident also colors the practice environment as teams test protection schemes and player safety protocols ahead of the regular season.

Overall, Scourton’s situation is a cautionary tale about rookie injury risk in fantasy planning and the importance of roster depth on the edge. If he returns sooner than expected, Carolina could funnel snaps to him as a seasoning pass-rusher and special-teams contributor, but any setback could shift the Panthers’ plan toward veterans and rotating options while the rookie recovers.

Carolina rookie Nic Scourton suffered a collapsed lung during a joint practice with the Houston Texans. Initial heat-exhaustion symptoms gave way to a medical diagnosis after hospitalization in Charlotte, where doctors confirmed the chest injury. Scourton will be evaluated week-to-week, with the team prioritizing smart recovery over rushing him back onto the field. The news introduces uncertainty around Carolina’s linebacker depth and could shift early camp reps as the Panthers monitor his status.

Fantasy managers should watch how Carolina adjusts its edge/OLB rotations in light of the injury and stay tuned for return timelines. The incident also underscores the risk of heat- and chest-related issues in hot-weather sessions, a factor teams will likely manage more aggressively going forward.

Carolina Panthers have solidified their defense with the signing of outside linebacker Nic Scourton, who was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The rookie deal is a four-year contract valued at approximately $8.6 million.

Scourton brings impressive collegiate statistics to the Panthers, having recorded 17.0 sacks during his time at Purdue and Texas A&M. His accolades include a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023 and a first-team All-SEC nod in 2024, showcasing his potential as a dynamic force on the edge.

The Carolina Panthers are facing a potential holdout situation as training camp approaches, particularly concerning their second-round draft pick, Nic Scourton. As of now, 30 of the 32 second-round picks from the 2025 NFL draft remain unsigned, with Scourton, the 51st overall selection, being one of them. This situation highlights a broader issue within the league regarding contract negotiations for rookie players, which often leads to delays in their participation in training camps.

The logjam is primarily attributed to various factors including salary cap limitations, the timing of negotiations, and differing priorities between management and agents. As teams look to navigate these complexities, rookie players like Scourton may find themselves in a precarious position, potentially affecting their readiness and development ahead of the new season.