NEED TO KNOW
NFL rookie Nic Scourton, 20, is suffering from a collapsed lung
The Carolina Panthers’ second-round pick began showing symptoms during a joint training session with the Texans in Houston on Thursday, Aug. 14
Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters that the team is unsure when Scourton will return to the field, calling it a “week-to-week” decision
NFL rookie Nic Scourton is suffering from a collapsed lung.
The Carolina Panthers’ second-round pick began showing symptoms during a joint practice with the Texans in Houston on Thursday, Aug. 14, according to Panthers coach Dave Canales.
Canales spoke to reporters following a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 17, per ESPN and CBS Sports. He revealed that Scourton’s symptoms initially presented as heat exhaustion.
“It was a very physical play,” he said of the Aug. 14 training session. “It was presenting like heat exhaustion because he was having trouble breathing.”
He added, “He was getting tired and all that, so we kind of cooled him down, [but] we couldn’t get him to respond good enough to where we felt comfortable about putting him back into practice.”
Brooke Sutton/Getty
Nic Scourton running drills in February 2025
The 20-year-old edge rusher was ultimately taken to Houston’s Memorial Hermann Medical Center for observation, where doctors determined that he had a collapsed lung.
Canales told reporters that Scourton spent the night in the hospital and was then driven back to Charlotte, N.C., the following day, noting that air travel can exacerbate lung issues.
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As for whether the Texas A&M alum will be returning to the field any time soon, Canales said it would be a “week-to-week” decision.
“It’s really week-to-week with those types of things,” he said. “I’ve heard from trainers, from different coaches, where a guy played the next week. So we’ve got to be smart on that one and let you know where we’re at once we get back to Charlotte.”
It is currently unclear what caused Scourton’s current condition.
PEOPLE reached out to the Carolina Panthers, as well as the National Football League Players Association, for comment on Sunday, Aug. 17, but did not receive an immediate response.
Scourton has had an impressive training camp so far, including a recent play in which he covered more than 70 yards on a single snap, according to Panthers.com.
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