Cat Scratch Reader
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that edge rusher Patrick Jones II is out for the season as he undergoes surgery on an injured back.
As Canales points out in the press conference, Jones finished the game and from the outside, there weren’t any clear signs of any ailments. But apparently his back was bothering him and it must have been debilitating when he woke up on Monday. Canales refused to give specifics on what the injury is, but clearly they feel it’s something serious if they’re so quickly going the route of season ending surgery.
With Jones out, rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen will get even more reps as the competition for snaps on the edge further dwindles. Unless the Panthers make a move, those two and DJ Wonnum are going to the vast majority of the snaps there.
It’s a tough blow for a unit that’s been starting to gel and putting some improved performances on tape. On the bright side, we get to watch the youngsters more, but that’s probably going to come at the expense of more consistent play, at least in the immediate future.
