Pat Jones II set to continue Panthers 'journey'

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Pat Jones II got emotional.

After watching 21-year-old Nic Scourton suffer a season-ending knee injury Thursday, Jones supplied the second-year breakout candidate with veteran advice and reflected on his own "journey" following Friday's NFL training camp practice.

"It's not fun," Jones said. "Me personally, I know how that feels from last year, espeically when you feel like you're about to have a big year and then something like that happens. All you can really do is be there for him and help him out as much as you can."

Jones will likely start helping the defensive line out by replacing Scourton as a starting edge defender, opposite Jaelan Phillips. The Panthers were expecting Scourton to make a significant second-year jump, after matching the team lead with five sacks as a rookie.

After losing most of last season to a herniated disc injury in his lower back, Jones told reporters Friday that he leaned on faith – and "two or three workouts a day" – to get him through his rehabilitation.

"It felt like last year was really my chance," he said. "It was definitely a long journey, longer than I thought. It feels good to be out here, it gives me a brand new perspective on how I just look at the game and how much I appreciate it a lot more."

Panthers' Pat Jones II in line to replace injured Nic Scourton

Not long after training camp opened Thursday, Jones said he took a knee and, for a moment, nearly started to cry. The sharp pain ceased. He was relieved to get back to work.

After signing a two-year, $15 million free-agent deal before 2025, Jones appeared in four games, accounting for one sack and one pass defended. In the previous season with the Minnesota Vikings, he registered seven sacks, despite earning just one start.

"I’m hoping to show more," Jones said. "Really just come out healthy and just show everybody what I could really do. I was in Minnesota for a long time behind a lot of great players most of my career.

"So, it felt like last year was like my chance to really show everybody. I feel like I started to heat up (before the injury happened). It hit me at a hard time."

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Jones shared a part of the advice he told Scourton on Thursday: "You've got to think about you. You gotta make sure your leg gets back right. You gotta build yourself up, make sure your mind is right.

"Then get yourself physically right."

Coach Dave Canales didn't see much of Jones last season. He's now counting on his "versatility" with Scourton out.

"We look for block destruction, we look for that violence and aggressiveness at the point of attack. That’s what Pat really brings,” Canales said. “He plays with a high motor with the effort that he shows. Nic Scourton certainly plays the same way, but to have multiple guys that way, it sets the tone for the whole group in terms of how they finish plays."