The Carolina Panthers’ pass rush has struggled tremendously throughout their first nine games of the 2024 season. The Panthers’ pass rush ranks near the bottom in every major category, including pressures (last), hurries (29th), QB knockdowns (31st), and sacks (T-31st) h/t Pro Football Reference, and 30th in pass rush win rate per ESPN analytics. Since the Panthers play the New York Giants, who have one of the worst offensive lines in the entire league, they have a golden opportunity to get on the right track.
Another reason for optimism for their pass rush is their free agent acquisition is inching closer to a return. He has been recovering from last season’s injury and health complications.
The Carolina Panthers EDGE rusher suffered a significant injury last season and experienced many complications during the offseason
D.J. Wonnum suffered a partially torn quadriceps during Christmas Eve in his last season with the Minnesota Vikings. Wonnum would undergo three different surgeries following the injury because of the many complications he experienced, which included his body rejecting the internal stitches, an MRSA infection, and blood clots. Because of all the complications, the Panthers placed him on the PUP list ahead of the season.
The Panthers designated Wonnum for return on October 23, ahead of Week 8. He participated in Wednesday and Friday’s practice of that week but remained on the PUP list. He practiced the week before Week 9 as a full participant but wasn’t activated last week.
He could play tomorrow
D.J. Wonnum participated in this week’s practice as a full participant and made the trip to Germany, hoping to make his season debut against the New York Giants in Munich. The Carolina Panthers released their week’s final injury report yesterday and listed Wonnum as questionable. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the expectation is for the underrated EDGE rusher to make his season debut tomorrow.
#Panthers pass rusher D.J. Wonnum (questionable, quad) is expected to make his season debut Sunday vs. #Giants, per sources.
Wonnum signed a two-year free agency deal with the team in March and is finally healthy. Jadeveon Clowney, also questionable, is trending up. pic.twitter.com/mnKvKtZdrK
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 9, 2024
Who replaced him in the starting lineup?
Charles Harris has taken over as the starting outside linebacker. The Panthers signed Harris after Week 1, and he has played eight games with six starts. He is having a solid season, leading the team in TFLs, QB hits, and sacks. He has recorded 20 tackles, four TFLs, six QB hits, and three sacks.
