Panthers DT Tershawn Wharton underwent neck surgery in May and is likely to begin the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

16 May 2026

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.