The Carolina Panthers announced that outside linebacker Nic Scourton will miss the entire 2024 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during the first day of training camp on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team is expected to place Scourton on injured reserve this week, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the absence of an official team statement.
Scourton, a second-round draft pick from Texas A&M in 2025, made a significant impact as a rookie last season. He appeared in all 17 games, starting eight, and recorded 47 tackles, five sacks, and nine quarterback hits. The 23-year-old linebacker had emerged as a pivotal pass rusher opposite newly acquired free agent Jaelan Phillips in a Panthers defense ranked 15th overall in the NFL last year.
The injury occurred late in practice on a slick field during team drills, reportedly while Scourton was engaged with an offensive lineman. Players and coach Dave Canales responded immediately, with teammates and the coach individually embracing Scourton as he was taken off the field in a cart. The Panthers have yet to announce which player will fill the starting role vacated by Scourton’s injury.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders finalized a four-year, $57.27 million contract with this year’s top overall draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The deal, announced Thursday, includes a fifth-year option. Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana University to its first national championship, has been running with the Raiders’ third-team offense during organized team activities and minicamp. However, he is expected to take on a larger role in training camp, which begins Wednesday. Veteran Kirk Cousins, signed to a free-agent contract with $20 million guaranteed, remains the Raiders’ No. 1 quarterback entering the season.
In stadium developments, the Kansas City Chiefs revealed initial renderings on Wednesday of their new $3 billion domed stadium scheduled to open in 2031. The design features a fully enclosed structure with translucent ceiling panels, a symmetrical and curved exterior, and a scalloped upper deck in the end zones. The new venue will honor the legacy of Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs’ home since 1972, and will have a seating capacity of approximately 70,000.
Meanwhile, Panthers owner David Tepper announced an additional investment of $500 million toward the ongoing renovations of the team’s stadium in Charlotte. The upgrades aim to enhance the fan experience and position the venue to host major events, including the Super Bowl and the 2031 Women’s World Cup. This investment comes amid a long-term stadium naming rights extension with Bank of America.