Tershawn Wharton Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries with our National Football League injury report.Sep 8, 2025
Missing two-to-four weeks
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Monday that Wharton (hamstring) is expected to miss two-to-four weeks, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton, who signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Panthers in March, played just 18 defensive snaps before sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 1 loss to the Jaguars. The first-year Panther made a major impact while on the field, recording four total tackles. This is likely a substantial loss to a new-look Panthers defensive line that allowed a whopping 5.2 yards per carry in 2024 -- the worst mark in the NFL. Expect Jaden Crumedy to see increased work as a rotational defensive lineman while Wharton remains sidelined.
Sep 7, 2025
Won't return due to hamstring issue
Wharton has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton initially left Sunday's game to be evaluated for a concussion, but it's a hamstring injury that will prevent him from returning. It's unclear whether he's passed his concussion evaluation, so his injury status will be worth monitoring heading into the Panthers' Week 2 clash against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 14. In Wharton's absence, Jaden Crumedy should see an uptick in rotational snaps at defensive end.
Sep 7, 2025
Exits Sunday's gaem
Wharton (head) exited Sunday's game against the Jaguars and is being evaluated for a concussion, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton may have taken a hit to the head during the Panthers' first defensive series of the first quarter. Jaden Crumedy would be slated to see an increased number of rotational snaps at defensive end behind A'Shawn Robinson and Derrick Brown if Wharton is not cleared to return.
Mar 10, 2025
Heading to Carolina
Wharton is in line to sign a three-year, $54 million contract with the Panthers, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton will head to Carolina after spending the first five years of his NFL tenure in Kansas City. He's coming off a strong 2024 campaign in which he logged 29 tackles (18 solo), including a career-high 6.5 sacks, two pass defenses and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games. Wharton and Derrick Brown (knee) will serve as the Panthers' key pieces on the defensive front for the 2025 campaign and beyond.
Feb 13, 2025
Sets multiple career highs
Wharton finished with career highs in tackles (29), sacks (6.5) and pass breakups (two) during the 2024 regular season.
ANALYSIS
The defensive tackle also played in all 17 regular-season games and in all three of Kansas City's playoff contests. Wharton has played on one-year deals in each of the last two seasons, though he started 12 times in 2024 between the regular season and playoffs, the first season in his career in which he started more than once. The career Chief will be an unrestricted free agent come March.
Dec 10, 2024
Gets to QB in win
Wharton recorded three solo tackles, including 2.0 sacks, in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
The defensive tackle is now up to 4.5 sacks, and 22 total tackles (14 solo), in 2024. He also has two pass breakups and a forced fumble. Though Wharton is a starter, he remains in a rotational role, having yet to play on 80 percent of the defensive snaps in a game this season.
Nov 10, 2024
Good to go Sunday
Wharton (knee) is not on the Chiefs' inactive list for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Wharton missed the first two practices of the week due to a knee injury, but he earned the questionable tag after logging a limited session Friday and will play Sunday. Wharton has logged four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defense in the Chiefs' three games since the Week 6 bye.
Nov 8, 2024
Questionable for Sunday
Wharton (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Wharton upgraded to limited participation Friday after opening Kansas City's week of practice with consecutive DNPs, so he appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday. However, if the 26-year-old is unable to play in Week 10, expect Marlon Tuipulotu to see increased work as one of the Chiefs' top rotational interior defensive linemen.
Mar 14, 2024
Stays in Kansas City
Wharton re-signed with the Chiefs for one-year, $2.75 million Thursday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton has been a regular on the interior of Kansas City's defensive line in each of the past four seasons since going undrafted out of Missouri S&T. That trend should continue in 2024 for a fifth season after a 2023 campaign that saw him record 21 combined tackles, including 2.0 sacks on 385 defensive snaps across 17 regular-season contests.
Sep 5, 2023
Gets in full practice Tuesday
Wharton was a full participant at practice Tuesday ahead of Thursday's game versus Detroit.
ANALYSIS
After sustaining a torn ACL last season in Week 5, Wharton has recovered enough that he should play in Week 1 of the 2023 season versus the Lions. Kansas City will need to lean heavily on Wharton to try to slow down Detroit's rushing attack, as it appears 2022 All-Pro Chris Jones is unlikely to be available as he tries to negotiate a contract extension.
Sep 4, 2023
Practices in limited fashion Monday
Wharton (knee) was a limited participant at practice Monday.
ANALYSIS
Wharton is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained during Week 5 of the 2022 season, but he appears to be on track to play Thursday versus Detroit. Kansas City's front seven will need all the help it can get in Week 1 with star defensive tackle Chris Jones still holding out for a contract extension.
Aug 26, 2023
Sees field for first time Saturday
Wharton saw his first playing time of the preseason in Saturday's 33-32 win over the Browns, Pete Sweeney of SB Nation reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton missed the two previous bouts as the Chiefs didn't want to rush him back into live game play. Wharton has been recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 5 of the 2022 season. He didn't see much playing time Saturday but head coach Andy Reid noted that it was good to get Wharton in and to get his "adrenaline knocked off a little bit."
Aug 12, 2023
Out Sunday
Wharton (knee) will not play in Sunday's preseason opener in New Orleans, Pete Sweeney and Jared Sapp of arrowheadpride.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton suffered a season ending ACL tear in Week 5 of the 2022 season and just returned to full participation at practice at the start of camp. It looks like the Chiefs are not going to rush him back into live game-play. The 25-year-old projects as a depth defensive lineman this year.
Aug 2, 2023
Returns to practice
Wharton (knee) has been activated from the PUP list and is practicing with the team Wednesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton suffered a torn ACL during Week 5 last season and was forced to start camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list. However, it appears the 25-year-old is fully recovered after being able to pass a physical and is now ready to compete. He should earn a depth role on Kansas City's defensive line.
Jul 19, 2023
Officially moves to PUP list
The Chiefs placed Wharton (knee) on the active/PUP list Wednesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
ANALYSIS
As expected, Wharton, who tore his ACL in Week 5 last season, has officially been placed on the PUP list and won't practice to start training camp. However, he's eligible to practice and/or play at any point during the preseason. If he remains out for the duration of preseason work, he can be shifted to the reserve/PUP list and not count against the roster limit. However, if that's the case, he'd be ineligible to suit up for the first four weeks of 2023.
Jul 18, 2023
Headed for PUP list
Head coach Andy Reid said Wharton (knee) will start training camp on the active/PUP list, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The move hasn't been made official yet, but Wharton, who tore his ACL in Week 5 last season, won't be able to practice at the beginning of training camp. If he remains out for the duration of preseason work, he can be shifted to the reserve/PUP list and not count against the roster limit. However, if that's the case, he'd be ineligible to suit up for the first four weeks of 2023.
Mar 14, 2023
Staying in KC
Wharton (knee) re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year, $2.025 million contract Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 of the 2022 season. Once healthy, Wharton's likely to play a depth or rotational role on the interior of Kansas City's defensive line.
Oct 16, 2022
Placed on IR
The Chiefs placed Wharton (knee) on injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Wharton suffered a torn ACL during the Chiefs' Week 5 win over the Raiders and is set to miss the remainder of the campaign, so his move to IR was simply transactional. In Wharton's absence, Khalen Saunders and Taylor Stallworth are candidates for increased roles along Kansas City's defensive line behind starters Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi.
Oct 10, 2022
Suffers torn ACL
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that Wharton suffered a torn ACL during Monday's 30-29 win over the Raiders, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports
ANALYSIS
Wharton is set to miss the remainder and should undergo surgery to address this injury sustained to one of his knees. The third-year defensive tackle recorded eight tackles and one sack over the first four games of the season, and his absence will leave the interior of Kansas City's defensive line short-handed behind starters Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi.
Oct 10, 2022
Forced out Monday
Wharton (knee) was ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Raiders, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Wharton did not record a tackle before being carted to the Chiefs' locker room in the first quarter, per James Palmer of NFL Network. With the backup defensive tackle sidelined, expect Khalen Saunders to see increased usage behind starting defensive linemen Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi.
Nov 2, 2020
Picks up first sack of 2020
Wharton finished with four tackles (two solo), a sack and a tackle for loss Sunday against the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Wharton was in on 54 percent of his team's defensive snaps in Week 8, and he rewarded his squad by registering his first sack of the year. He's tallied 19 tackles (11 solo) through the first eight games of the 2020 campaign.
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