On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers hit the practice field as the first NFL team to officially open up training camp here in 2026. But what was supposed to be a joyous return to football for the reigning NFC South champions ended up being a rather devastating morning.
Here are the top takeaways and observations from the Panthers’ very first day at camp . . .
An unfortunate start
During team drills, outside linebacker Nic Scourton went down with a lower body injury. The second-year defender, who was comforted by his teammates in what was described as a “grim scene,” would be carted off in tears.
Following the session, head coach Dave Canales told reporters that the team will be evaluating Scourton’s right knee.
“I don’t wanna speculate,” Canales stated. “I’m hoping for the best. And so, we’ll just get the full imaging before we make any announcements that way.”
Scourton, who tied for a team-leading 5.0 sacks as a rookie in 2025, has been projected to start alongside free-agent acquisition Jaelan Phillips.
Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Scourton will undergo an MRI this afternoon.
In the meantime, the Panthers are reportedly expected to bring back outside linebacker Cam Gill.
A bright spot
In an eerie contrast, running back Jonathon Brooks—who is coming back from a second ACL tear—shined on Thursday morning.
“Really looking forward to just the hard work that JB has had to do over the last couple of years to get him to this point,” Canales said of Brooks. “He feels great, he feels strong, he looks fast. He looks like the guy that I remember, and I’m really excited for that.
“But more so, just for a guy to go through things and be able to have the emotional and mental resiliency to go through that training twice to get himself back—this is a celebration. You can feel the gratitude on him, you can feel the focus and how important this opportunity is for him.”
Today’s session marked Brooks’ first full go at training camp as a pro.
Seizing an opportunity
With longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton sidelined indefinitely due to a blood clot in his lung, 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling has a new opportunity ahead of him. As confirmed by both Canales and general manager Dan Morgan, the 21-year-old is set to take over for the franchise pillar.
Freeling spoke about being presented with the challenge.
“It was probably like last week, they told me, after they found out the news with T-Mo, that I’d be working on the right side. I was just really psyched for the opportunity,” he said. “Anywhere they would’ve put me, I would’ve been happy to go. It’s just how it is now. I gotta step up and be ready.”
Initially, Freeling was expected to compete at left tackle against free-agent signee Rasheed Walker.
This won’t be Freeling’s first crack at the position, as he recorded 257 snaps at right tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs between 2023 and 2025. He also worked some reps there during organized team activities in the spring.
Top observations
…and we’re off! #Pantherspic.twitter.com/P9o9I8oe3o
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) July 23, 2026
Taylor Moton is out here doing light work with the trainers. Good to see.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 23, 2026
Starting to come down here. Defensive linemen working through drills. Second-round pick rookie Lee Hunter — who seemingly everyone has raved about — still in No. 92.
Cam Jackson No. 99. pic.twitter.com/IjfpU6pBSs
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 23, 2026
#Panthers Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is starting training camp on the non-football injury list (foot), is doing some calisthenics on the edge of the field. Here’s him backpedaling. Looks smooth.
(Also a Demani Richardson cameo.) pic.twitter.com/FJ6iflyXbB
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 23, 2026
#Panthers Jonathon Brooks reps in his first training camp practice in the NFL.@CSLonQCN#KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/XdvMmasy92
— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) July 23, 2026
What we like to see 😼 pic.twitter.com/wE0hTemKWq
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 23, 2026
11v11. Young with a quick pass to Brooks, but Lloyd met him right as he caught the ball. Would’ve blown the offensive player up in a live game. Defense loudly approves of the play.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 23, 2026
#Panthers great Josh Norman in the house for day one of training camp.@CSLonQCN#KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/aD7nRqueTF
— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) July 23, 2026
David Tepper just walked into practice.
Big day for #Panthers between …
—The Bank of America naming rights agreement
—New stadium unveilings
—Day 1 of training camp— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 23, 2026
Defense seems to blanketing EVERYTHING day one.
Young’s pass to Legette during 7v7 is broken up by Tyrek Funderburk and then another pass to Brazzell is way over his head.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 23, 2026
Jonathon Brooks is cutting well through traffic early on. They are giving him action with the first team. Ditto with Trevor Etienne. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 23, 2026
Chris Brazzell went up made a sweet, high-point catch over Mike Jackson and Nick Scott. Did not get both feet in however.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 23, 2026
Panthers LB Nic Scourton suffered an apparent lower body injury in practice during team drills moments ago & was carted off.
Scourton was in tears as cart left the field and whole team came to give him a hug when he left. A lot of emotions for key player injury Day 1 of camp:
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 23, 2026
A somber end to practice with #Panthers players and coaches linking arms in the final huddle.
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 23, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 1
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