Tershawn

Wharton

Tershawn Wharton is joining him on the PUP list. This was to be expected after Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the playoffs. He isn’t expected to be ready for Week 1. Panthers coach Dave Canales could only say he expects Ekwonu to return “at some point” in 2026 when asked about him in June. With right tackle Taylor Moton also out for the start of the year, the Panthers will likely be forced to start free agent addition Rasheed Walker and first-round rookie Monroe Freeling early in the season.

Wharton missed eight games in 2025 fresh off a $45 million contract extension and reportedly underwent surgery in early May on his neck. While it sounds like the PUP list is a near certainty, sources confirmed that the expectation is for Wharton to play at some point in the 2026 season.

Ekwonu got in a limited practice on Friday, but it was not enough to be ready for Week 16 against the Buccaneers. Yosh Nijman will start in his place at left tackle. Panthers also declared WR Hunter Renfrow, LB Trevin Wallace, S Demani Richardson, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, TE James Mitchell, and DT Tershawn Wharton inactive for Week 16 against the Buccaneers. Wallace (shoulder) and Wharton (hamstring) are out due to injury, while the others are healthy scratches.

Wharton was added to the injury report on Saturday. Panthers DT Bobby Brown is expected to start in his stead. Wharton has 23 tackles, 17 quarterback pressures and two sacks this season. The defense will have No. 1 CB Jaycee Horn on the field, though. Horn missed Week 13 after suffering a concussion in Week 12. The Panthers were on bye in Week 14.

The Panthers continue to take hits to their offensive line, with Moton being the latest starter to be sidelined following injuries to C Austin Corbett and RG Robert Hunt earlier this season. Moton has started all five games for the Panthers at right tackle this season, earning a PFF blocking grade of 73.7 while allowing 13 pressures and two sacks. Backup Yosh Nijman is listed behind Moton on the depth chart and will presumably draw the start on Sunday against the Cowboys. In addition to Moton, the Panthers have also ruled out CB Akayleb Evans (hamstring) and DT Tershawn Wharton (toe) for Sunday’s game.

The Panthers’ struggling run defense could be worse than usual in Week 2 against the run-first Cardinals with Wharton sidelined. Wharton could miss up to a month with a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 1’s blowout loss against the Jaguars. Carolina could be among the league’s softest front sevens with Wharton out.

With four weeks in play, the Panthers might consider placing Wharton on injured reserve. “He was having a fantastic game,’' Panthers coach Dave Canales said of Wharton. “He had four tackles early on, and was really doing a good job of getting of blocks and making opportunities.’' The Panthers figure to remain easy to run on in Week 2, which is good news for James Conner and Trey Benson.

According to FOX NFL’s Jordan Schultz, the deal is worth over $54 million, though we don’t have the full details yet. Wharton appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs and totaled 6.5 sacks. He added two sacks to that tally during Kansas City’s run to the Super Bowl. Wharton never ascended to an every-down role with the Chiefs but will have the opportunity to do so in Carolina. The Panthers have been aggressive in fixing their defense early in free agency, signing multiple defensive linemen on top of other key moves.

Wharton’s contract is fully guaranteed. The veteran defensive tackle totaled two sacks, 17 pressures, and one fumble recovery in 17 games last season and will now head into his fifth straight year with the Chiefs. Wharton has been utilized heavily on passing downs and will likely play in a similar role next season.

The Chiefs are already without Chris Jones, who continues to be away from the team amidst a contract dispute. With that being said, Wharton is listed as the top defensive tackle on the depth chart, and will be tasked with filling the massive void left by Jones, who is currently not expected to report ahead of Thursday’s Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs. A limited practice for Wharton to start the week is enough to suggest he’s trending on the right side of playing barring any setbacks.