Umanmielen Steps In as Starter | Carolina Panthers News

The Panthers’ 2026 season opener just got a whole lot more intriguing — and desperate. With key starters like Nic Scourton and Chris Brazzell II sidelined for the year, plus both starting tackles expected to miss time, the team’s depth is already thin. Add in Pat Jones II’s Week One absence due to a recurring back injury, and the door swings wide open for second-year edge rusher Princely Umanmielen. Drafted in the third round, Umanmielen flashed potential as a rookie but saw limited snaps — now he’s primed to start opposite Jaelan Phillips, with a real shot to cement himself as a starter. His college pedigree and strong summer training make this a pivotal moment — can he seize the opportunity and prove he belongs? Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c05a4722022e16a4