The Carolina Panthers may be facing an early-season challenge on defense. Starting defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton recently underwent neck surgery and is expected to begin the summer on the physically unable to perform list, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. While he could still return at some point during the 2026 campaign, his status for the start of the season remains uncertain.

Wharton joined the Panthers last spring on a three-year, $45 million deal after the team missed out on Milton Williams in free agency. Before that, Wharton spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he made 22 starts across 81 regular-season games. His first year in Carolina was hampered by injuries, as he missed eight of 18 games due to hamstring and toe issues. When he did play, he was a consistent presence, starting all 10 of his outings and tallying 38 combined tackles with two sacks.

The Panthers' defensive line depth chart still features some notable names, including Pro Bowler Derrick Brown, 2026 second-round pick Lee Hunter, fellow 2024 free-agent signee Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, LaBryan Ray, and Jared Harrison-Hunte. With Wharton sidelined, these players will need to step up to fill the gap left by the veteran lineman.

As the Panthers prepare for the upcoming season, fans will be watching closely to see how the defensive line holds up without one of its key starters. Stay tuned for more updates as Wharton's recovery progresses.