Panthers LB's ACL injury came in no-contact drill, NFLPA investigation closed
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Panthers LB's ACL injury came in no-contact drill, NFLPA investigation closed
Jack McKessy, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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1 min read
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Nic Scourton's ACL injury on the first day of training camp appears to have been something of a freak accident.
The players union has found no wrongdoing by theCarolina Pantherswhen it came to the circumstances surrounding Scourton's injury, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person was granted their anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the decision.
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Scourton, 21,tore his ACLon the first day of Carolina's training camp. Shortly after news of the injury, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA)opened an investigationinto thePanthersto determine whether the team violated the no-contact rules for early training camp practices laid out in the collective bargaining agreement.
New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) does a passing drill with running back Jam Miller (30) during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) works with a member of the coaching staff during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
New England Patriots safety Peter Manuma does a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27 in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California, on July 27.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws the ball during training camp workouts at Loyola Marymount University on July 27.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
Myles Garrett of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the training camp workouts at Loyola Marymount University on July 27.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
Running back Jeremiyah Love - the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - carries the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on July 26.
(Joe Rondone, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson participates in a team practice at State Farm Stadium on July 26 in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 26.
(Joe Rondone, The Republic)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (72) works out during the first day of training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 25.
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) goes through drills during the first day of training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 25.
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks toward the practice field at Missouri Western State University on July 25 in St Joseph, Missouri.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
1/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) does a passing drill with running back Jam Miller (30) during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) does a passing drill with running back Jam Miller (30) during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) works with a member of the coaching staff during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots safety Peter Manuma does a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27 in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
5/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California, on July 27.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
6/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws the ball during training camp workouts at Loyola Marymount University on July 27.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
7/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Myles Garrett of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the training camp workouts at Loyola Marymount University on July 27.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
8/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Running back Jeremiyah Love - the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - carries the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on July 26.
(Joe Rondone, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
9/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson participates in a team practice at State Farm Stadium on July 26 in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
10/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 26.
(Joe Rondone, The Republic)
11/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (72) works out during the first day of training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 25.
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) goes through drills during the first day of training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 25.
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/13
Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks toward the practice field at Missouri Western State University on July 25 in St Joseph, Missouri.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
The CBA's guidelines state that live contact is prohibited during the first five days of training camp, and that "no on-field activities shall be permitted other than running and conditioning" during the first day, specifically.
Scourton was a second-round pick by the Panthers in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie last year, he appeared in all 17 games, starting eight of them, and recorded five sacks. Heading into 2026, Scourton was set for a potential breakout year playing alongside Carolina's top-flight free agent linebacker signings:Jaelan PhillipsandDevin Lloyd. Instead, he likely will miss all of the season.
