CAROLINA PANTHERS
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum doesn’t have a sack in 2025, but his teammates and coaches praise his ability to contribute in other phases.
When Derrick Brown sacked Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford with 2:34 remaining in Carolina’s 31-28 win on Nov. 30, Panthers outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum scooped up Stafford’s fumble to clinch a potentially season-defining moment.
Teammate Thomas Incoom described it: “It was big, seeing how hard D.J. works and to have a play fall in his lap.”
Not many have this season.
Through 12 appearances, Wonnum, a six-year veteran facing free agency in the offseason, has yet to record a sack. Despite 11 starts, he posted just one quarterback hit.
During Monday’s practice session, Wonnum led the position group during drills. He remains entrenched in the starting lineup. He retains the confidence of coach Dave Canales.
“He’s a guy I just love,” Canales said. “I love that he’s here. I love that he shows up every day with professionalism.”
A few sacks down the stretch could enhance the player-coach relationship.
Panthers, Wonnum seek sacks
With four games remaining, the Panthers’ playoff chances received a boost Sunday when New Orleans (3-10) upset Tampa Bay (7-6), who dropped into a tie with the Panthers atop the NFC South. Entering Monday night, the Panthers ranked 31st with 18 sacks. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, the league leader, has 20 on his own.
To qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Panthers’ best shot could be claiming the division title. They play Tampa Bay twice down the stretch – at home Dec. 21 and on the road for a Week 18 finale.
The division crown remains “right there in front of them,” Canales said.
Wonnum has everything in front of him, beginning with breaking his sackless slump. He will be looking for job this summer. He could use a strong finish.
“I know he would love to be up here telling you how he could come away with some sacks,” Canales said. “He’s doing an excellent job in terms of being part of the leadership group.”
After enduring a series of medical setbacks to get back on the field for the final eight weeks last season, Wonnum sparked a struggling defense with four sacks. His late-season performance ignited high expectations of improving a decade-long franchise concern: generating a consistent pass rush.
The Panthers compiled 32 sacks last season. Only the Atlanta Falcons (31 sacks) and New England Patriots (28) registered fewer. In 2023, the Panthers placed last with 27 takedowns.
At his locker after Monday’s practice, Wonnum declined a chance to talk about his up-and-down season. Walking away from his locker, he said he was scheduled to lift weights.
“The way he’s working, his time is going to come,” Incoom said. “(The stats) don’t show any sack production, but his impact on the field has been major.”
Like it did against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 14. With the Panthers trailing by 18 in the fourth quarter, Wonnum helped spark a near comeback with a momentum-turning interception.
‘The ultimate professional’
Wonnum may not be producing much QB pressure, but “he does have a pick and a fumble recovery,” inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom said. “That’s pretty impressive. Maybe that sack number isn’t necessarily there, but now that we’re talking about him, he might have three sacks on Sunday.
“Hopefully, that’s the case.”
One of the Panthers’ priority free agents in 2024, Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal. But after contracting MRSA and battling blood clots around his lungs stemming from a torn quadriceps sustained as a member of the Minnesota Vikings the previous December, his Carolina debut was delayed into the second half of the regular season.
“He’s still kind of working through some things” was a common Canales comment in 2024. This year, Wonnum, 27, remains in the starting lineup because of his leadership and potential to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He compiled 27 sacks in his first 70 NFL outings. With the Vikings, he collected eight-sack campaigns in 2021 and ‘23.
Scourton spoke of Wonnum’s ability to focus on the team over his sackless streak, which dates back to Week 16 last season.
“Not one time has he complained about not having any sacks and that’s what our job is,” Scourton said. “I know some guys would get frustrated and want to be in a different situation or something like that. He makes plays that guys don’t see on the stat sheet.”
In the win against the Rams, Wonnum, who added two quarterback pressures, earned a 62.8 defensive grade by Pro Football Focus, fourth best on the team.
“He’s the ultimate professional,” Scourton said. “He comes to work, puts his hard hat on and handles his business.”
Comments