The Carolina Panthers placed veteran outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps), offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (undisclosed), outside linebacker Amare Barno (knee) and wide receiver Jalen Coker (undisclosed) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Friday. Wonnum had surgery on his left quadriceps muscle in December, so it's not a big surprise that he won't be ready for the start of training camp next week. It remains to be seen if he'll come off the PUP list before the start of the 2024 regular season, but if he does, the 26-year-old should be a starting edge rusher for Carolina on the opposite side of Jadeveon Clowney. The former fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2020 out of South Carolina tied his career-high with eight sacks in 15 games (14 starts) in 2023 and also recorded a career-high 62 tackles (33 solo) while adding seven tackles for loss, 15 QB hits and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) is a candidate to begin training camp at the end of July on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Even though Wonnum had surgery on his left quadriceps in December, the Panthers signed him to a two-year deal this offseason. The 26-year-old will not be ready for the start of camp, and his availability for the start of the regular season could also be in question. When he's fully healthy, though, he's expected to be a key pass-rusher at the linebacker position for the Panthers defense. The former fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020 out of South Carolina, Wonnum racked up 171 tackles (105 solo), 23 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 49 QB hits, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in his first four years in the NFL with Minnesota.
Free-agent pass-rusher D.J. Wonnum plans to sign an undisclosed two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to a source. Wonnum will head to the NFC South after producing a career-high-tying eight sacks, a career-high 62 tackles (33 solo), seven tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 15 games (14 starts) in 2023 in his fourth year with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings originally took him with their fourth-round selection in 2020 out of South Carolina. Wonnum had a career year last season despite missing the tail end of the campaign due to a quadriceps injury. While not on the IDP fantasy radar, the Panthers will be hoping Wonnum can help boost the team's pass-rushing force from the linebacker position after trading Brian Burns to the Giants.
Minnesota Vikings edge rusher D.J. Wonnum is a solid streaming option in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos. Wonnum, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has been a rotational player for much of his early career, but he stepped into a starting role this season and has played 79% of the teams' defensive snaps. In the past three weeks, Wonnum has made 3.0 sacks and 11 combined tackles. Through the season, he has made 5.0 sacks, each of which came since Week 4. His game against a sack-prone Russell Wilson is a plus matchup. Wilson's average time from snap to throw (3.13 seconds) and his rate of pressures turning into sacks (23.1%) are both significantly above the league average.
The Minnesota Vikings used their fourth-round selection (117th overall) on South Carolina edge rusher D.J. Wonnum. The former high school tight end is a tall, fast pass rusher who plays with maximum effort on every play. According to scouts, he needs work in the run game, as he has a tendency to get washed out getting upfield too quickly. He'll likely begin his career as a passing-down specialist who can help the pass rush of an already strong Vikings Defense.
D.J. Wonnum
• OLB
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Panthers
