The Carolina Panthers’ pass rush has had a disastrous start to the season, ranking near the bottom in every major statistical category. The defense has recorded 19 pressures, six hurries, eight quarterback knockdowns, and five sacks, ranking last, 31st, last, and last, respectively, according to Pro Football Reference. This news comes after the Panthers addressed their EDGE depth in the offseason by signing a veteran in free agency and drafting two in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
To make matters worse, their prized acquisition suffered an injury.
Carolina Panthers’ pass rush suffers season-ending blow
Patrick Jones II woke up on Monday with lower back pain following their Week 6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the prized offseason acquisition will soon undergo season-ending surgery. Jones ends his first year in North Carolina with nine tackles, two TFLs, two quarterback hits, ten pressures, and one sack across four games.
#Panthers OLB Pat Jones (lower back) is set to have season-ending surgery.
He woke up with pain on Monday.
The Panthers have DJ Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen and Thomas Incoom at OLB.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 15, 2025
Here’s a look at the Carolina Panthers’ EDGE depth
- D.J. Wonnum
- Nic Scourton
- Princely Umanmielen
- Thomas Incoom
Nic Scourton is expected to start on early downs, while Princely Umanmielen primarily plays on passing downs alongside D.J. Wonnum. Scourton has six pressures, while Umanmielen has five pressures and one sack, Wonnum has ten pressures, and Incoom has yet to register a pressure or sack, per PFF. Finally, the Panthers may promote Boogie Basham from the practice squad to the active roster.
