2 Panthers who need to step up with DL Tershawn Wharton out
With DL Tershawn Wharton now on the mend from neck surgery, Panthers HC Dave Canales named a couple of potential replacements who'll have to step up.
The Carolina Panthers defensive line suffered a blow this week, when we learned that starter Tershawn Wharton had recently undergone neck surgery . Wharton is not expected to miss the entire 2026 NFL season, but the Panthers will need to find somebody who can take over his role while he is sidelined. Head coach Dave Canales acknowledged this when he spoke with the media on Monday.
He told reporters that Wharton started feeling discomfort in his neck "about a week and a half ago," leading to imaging that revealed some issues which required a procedure. While Wharton is out, Canales says that a few young players—most notably 2026 second-round pick Lee Hunter and 2025 fifth-round pick Cam Jackson—will have to step up in Wharton's place. “Lee, Cam Jackson, these guys that we brought into our program, are gonna really need to step up for the guys in different roles," Canales stated yesterday afternoon.
Wharton missed nearly half of the 2025 campaign for Carolina due to multiple injuries. When he was available, the results were a bit disappointing given what the Panthers are paying for his services. In the end, Wharton totaled 2.
0 sacks, three quarterback hits and just three tackles for a loss in nine games. Pro Football Focus was unimpressed when he was on the field, giving Wharton a 40. 8 overall grade—ranking 127th out of 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen.