The Carolina Panthers play their first preseason game on Friday against the Cleveland Browns. The two teams have been dueling it out throughout the week in joint practices, and now they get to bring those battles to a real game.
Getting their first shot at game action in the NFL are the rookie pass rushing duo of Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. The rookies were drafted in the second and third rounds, respectively. Scourton had a first-round grade on some draft boards coming out of Texas A&M. The rookie pass rushing duo has become fast friends throughout the mini and training camp portions of the preseason.
In May, speaking to Kassidy Hill of the Panthers’ team website, Scourton recounted how, after one day of rookie mini camp, he and Umanmielen used a hotel ballroom they were staying at to simulate pass rushing reps.
“We’re trying to be prepared for practice (Saturday), and that’s the type of guy (Princely) is, and that’s the type of guy I am, and I’m excited to get to work with him,” Scourton told Hill.
The work the two have put in from rookie mini camp has paid dividends in training camp.
Impressive Training Camps
Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen are looking to help revive a Panthers pass rush that was the worst in the NFL in 2024. So far in training camp, the pair has been impressing. Darin Gantt, writing for the Panthers’ team website, sang praises of Scourton and Umanmielen in his July 25th training camp observations. Despite not being in pads yet, the rookie pass rushers still were standouts.
“But it’s also OK to say rookie pass-rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen have had their moments in camp, which adds an element to the outside linebacker group,” Gantt wrote. “Scourton’s a big body who can set an edge. He said this week he’s up to around 265 and feels like that’s the perfect weight. Umanmielen is leaner and quicker, and has flashed in these unpadded practices.”
Heading into their first preseason game and live action, Scourton and Umanmielen will get to give Panthers fans a glimpse of their complete skill set.
Shedeur Sanders Factor
One of the more talked-about elements going into the Panthers’ preseason game against the Browns is who Scourton and Umanmielen will be chasing after at quarterback, the much-discussed Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders is getting the starting nod for Cleveland and fighting for the starting QB position, despite not receiving many reps throughout training camp for the Browns.
In his press conference on Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said the plan is for only Sanders and the freshly signed Tyler “Snoop” Huntley to play against the Panthers. Stefanski also discussed the expectations he had for Sanders.
“My expectations for Shedeur are no different than the rest of the guys, honestly,” Stefanski said. “We expect him to go operate. When you get into these preseason games, you try to keep it very simple so guys can play fast. All concepts that our players know and not think too much and just play ball.”
All eyes will be on Sanders’ first NFL start, and it’s an excellent opportunity for Scourton and Umanmielen to make an impactful first impression.
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