Panthers edge DJ Wonnum details ‘scary’ setbacks in recovery from quad surgery

Carolina's long-missing edge defender explains why he's been out so long after signing with Panthers.

Tim Weaver | Oct 25, 2024

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 01: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) during an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers on October 1, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. / (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers

Carolina's edge rotation is in bad shape, there's no point in denying that. Heading into Week 8 the Panthers have gotten worse results than just about any other team in the NFL this year at this position, with the possible exception of the Atlanta Falcons.

It didn't have to be this way. If the Panthers had managed to convince Brian Burns to stay at least they would have a strong starting combination with Burns and Jadeveon Clowney. However, Clowney hasn't lived up to expectations and the rest of the depth chart beneath him has become a veritable game of musical chairs as players sign, start, struggle and get cut all within a matter of days.

The latest victim of the trend is Marquis Haynes, the former fourth-round draft pick who just re-signed with the team a couple of weeks ago. He was released on Tuesday amid a flurry of roster moves. The Panthers would be in better shape if DJ Wonnum had been in the lineup all this time, but he's been out since the begingning of the season after suffering a series of medical setbacks after undergoing quad surgery. Wonnum filled beat reporters in on the details in the locker room yesterday.

DJ Wonnum on 'scary' medical setbacks

Panthers OLB on the setbacks he’s had in his recovery from quad surgery, including clots he called ‘’scary.’’ pic.twitter.com/xg4FZH8eZS
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 24, 2024

A forth-round draft pick by the MInnesota Vikings in 2020, Wonnum has appeared in 62 games, earning 31 starts and totaling 23 sacks and 49 quarterback hits. When he gets into the lineup it will be his first action for the Carolina Panthers.