The Carolina Panthers are sitting on an extra $9.7 million in salary cap space right now, all because defensive tackle Tershawn “Turk” Wharton restructured his deal. He converted a hefty $12.2 million of his salary into a signing bonus, a savvy financial move confirmed by Spotrac.com. This is happening while Wharton’s still battling back from a surgically repaired neck, which has him starting the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That means he’s absolutely out for the Week 1 clash against the Chicago Bears this Sunday. Talk about making a big-time play off the field when you can’t be on it!
The Grind Continues, But No Timetable
Wharton might be out for Week 1, but don’t think for a second he’s just sitting around. He was spotted off to the side during Friday’s practice, grinding hard through rehabilitation drills with a team trainer. We’re talking reps attacking a tackling dummy here, with exercises designed to really test the endurance of that surgically repaired neck. Panthers Coach Dave Canales didn’t offer a timeline for Wharton’s return, deferring to the medical staff. “Team doctors are all over this,” Canales said, adding that from what he sees, “he looks explosive. He’s fit. He’s ready to go.” It’s about “structural integrity” and making sure he’s “ready to rock” before the docs give him the nod. That’s gotta be a brutal waiting game for a two-time Super Bowl champion who signed a three-year, $45 million deal before last season, especially after he was hampered by injuries and only played nine games last year, grabbing 36 total tackles and two sacks. When Canales was asked about Wharton’s new contract, though, he straight up declined to comment, punting that question over to the team’s executive vice president of football operations and salary cap guru, Brandt Tilis.
Young Guns Stepping Up on the D-Line
With Wharton sidelined, the defending NFC South champions are gonna roll out four first- and second-year defensive tackles against the Bears. That’s some serious youth getting thrown into the fire! Rookie Lee Hunter could even start, potentially lining up between former All-Pro Derrick Brown and veteran Bobby Brown III in their 3-4 base defense. Undrafted free agent Aaron Hall is also in line for some rotational snaps. You gotta believe those young guys are leaning heavily on Derrick Brown, who, after missing most of ’24 with a knee injury, played all 17 games last season and is absolutely setting the pace for the unit. Canales raved about Brown’s intensity, saying, “The type of effort that he practices with, that he plays with, shows the style of football that we’re looking for.” He’s convinced Brown “jumps off the tape” and there’s “no better room for Lee Hunter and Aaron Hall to be in.” Canales sounds excited to see them “play their first regular season football game.” It’s sink or swim time!
So, the Panthers kick off their season this Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium. It’s a huge test for this young defensive line, especially with Wharton out. Can these rookies and second-year players step up and hold their own, backed by the veteran presence of Derrick Brown? We’ll find out when that whistle blows. Get ready to watch these guys earn their stripes!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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