Seahawks’ Week 17 opponent already hit hard by injuries

Already down both of their starting tackles for the start of the season, the Carolina Panthers saw a key linebacker go down to injury Thursday.

BY STEVE REED, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jul 23, 2026, 10:19 AM

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers second-year outside linebacker Nic Scourton was carted off the practice field with a right knee injury during the first day of training camp on Thursday, just days after starting right tackle Taylor Moton joined starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu in being ruled out for Week 1.

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The Panthers are one of the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks’ opponents next season, with Seattle set to visit Charlotte in the early window of Week 17 on Sunday, Jan. 3.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who was a Seahawks offensive coach from 2010-22, said he does not know the extent of Scourton’s injury. He said Scourton will have an MRI exam.

“I don’t want to speculate,” Canales said. “I’m hoping for the best.”

Scourton, a second-round draft pick in 2024 out of Texas A&M, went down on a wet field late in practice during team drills. Players immediately gathered around him on one knee.

Scourton held his hand over his face as he was led into an awaiting cart.

As he was leaving the field, the cart stopped and Canales and every player on the roster individually walked over to hug Scourton before he was taken to the training room.

“They care about each other,” Canales said. “Whenever you’re in a group of people doing something hard together, it has a way of creating a special bond. Between all the workouts and going through a full season and an offseason and all that, it means something to the guys. I’m proud of that.”

Scourton had an outstanding rookie season for the Panthers, playing in 17 games with eight starts. He finished the season with 47 tackles, five sacks and nine quarterback hits while developing into a key starter for the NFL’s 15th-ranked defense.

Scourton appeared to be engaged in a block with an offensive lineman at the time of the injury.

Ekwonu is still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon he sustained in Carolina’s 34-31 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January. The No. 6 overall pick in the draft in 2022 is expected to miss multiple games, but general manager Dan Morgan said he’s optimistic he’ll be back at some point this season.

On Tuesday, Carolina ruled out Moton for the start of the season after doctors discovered a blood clot in his lung last month. He could miss a few games, but the team’s bigger concern is his overall health following the scare.

In the meantime, the Panthers have a huge void up front.

Moton and Ekwonu have started a combined 192 games. Moton has been a reliable starter for nine seasons; Ekwonu four.

Seattle Sports staff made edits and alterations with this post.

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