Panthers’ patience with DJ Wonnum pays dividends

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers edge rusher DJ. Wonnum (98) made his season debut with six tackles and a forced fumbles in Carolina’s 20-17 overtime Nov. 10 overtime win against the New York Giants in Munich, Germany. The Panthers (3-7) have won two straight games.

The Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff tried to remain patient.

After each setback outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum suffered, the wait continued. With early season losses mounting and opposing quarterbacks enjoying productive outings sans a consistent pass rush from the edge, the perseverance of ever-optimistic coach Dave Canales was tested.

At the start of mandatory minicamp on June 11, Canales spoke of Wonnum’s absence.

“Just working through some different things,” the first-year coach said. “He had some complications. He had a quadriceps tendon rupture there and so he had a repair and there was some different things they had to clean out. So, it’s kind of just like this back-and-forth trying to get him as healthy and back to full speed.

“He’s still kind of working through some of those things.”

Canales’ message remained the same for one of Carolina’s key free-agent signings during the offseason.   

And training camp.

And preseason.

And the first nine games of the regular season.

Finally, Wonnum dressed for Week 10’s 20-17 overtime win against the New York Giants in Germany.

The patience paid off.

Wonnum finally hits field

It didn’t take long for Wonnum to make an impact on one of the NFL’s worst defenses.

On the Giants’ second play from scrimmage, Wonnum combined efforts with defensive end A’Shawn Robinson to bring down running back Tyrone Tracy for a 2-yard gain. The Giants lined up to punt two plays later.

Midway through the second quarter and the Panthers leading, 10-0, the Giants tried to get fancy with a flea flicker on third-and-1 from their 49. Quarterback Daniel Jones received the pitch-back and looked to throw downfield. He didn’t have enough time as Wonnum hit him from behind for an 8-yard sack.

Wonnum debuted with six tackles (two for loss), four pressures and a forced fumble. His 20.7 pass rush win rate aided his 74.7 Pro Football Focus grade.

“He was stout,” Canales said. “It was great. It’s another person the offensive line has to think about outside of [Jadeveon] Clowney from a pass rush standpoint.”
To the Panthers, it was about time.

The defense entered the Giants game with just 10 sacks. With two against New York, the Panthers rank 31st in the NFL. If Wonnum handles opponents the way he dominated Giants left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, Wonnum could fill an important role for the Panthers, who are last in points allowed per game (31).

“It felt great, being able to take the field with guys,” Wonnum told Panthers.com. “Unbelievable feeling. I really can’t explain it.

“Being able to play football again and go out make the plays I did. It’s all part of the process.”

Canales: ‘Still getting his legs under him’

Wonnum, who inked a two-year, $12.5 million contract in the offseason, waited nearly a year to get back on an NFL field after quadriceps surgery followed by a blood clot and an infection.

Canales anticipates Wonnum’s role continuing to grow when the Panthers return Nov. 24 with a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He’s still getting his legs under him,” Canales said. “He had some great plays, and he had a couple of plays you could see, ‘OK, I gotta get my sea legs.’”

Canales checked off the phases of Wonnum’s skills he’s looking to unleash.

“The energy ... the focus ... the intentionality,” he said. “He’s such a professional on the way he goes about his business. I love everything he brought to us.”

In rebuild mode coming off a 2-15 campaign, the Panthers targeted replacements last offseason for jettisoned edge rusher Brian Burns, who was traded to the Giants after a prolonged contract dispute. Burns’ 2023 salary cap hit was approximately $24 million. With the savings, new general manager Dan Morgan signed five potential starters – guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, linebacker Josey Jewell, Robinson and Wonnum – and cut $1.8 million off the books.

“We got players that can make big plays,” Wonnum said. “Obviously, we’ve seen that (against the Giants). We just got to keep growing closer, keep continue building together, and the sky’s the limit for us.”
The Panthers have won two straight after opening 1-7.

“We’re starting to come together,” said Robinson, who helped clinch the Week 10 win with a forced fumble in the fourth quarter. “We’re starting to make more plays on defense. We’re starting to trust each other and gel and building that camaraderie, just truly understanding one another and how each other plays and just truly building it being a brotherhood, from offense to special teams to defense.”

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