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.