Carolina Panthers special-teamer Thomas Incoom wants more

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Thomas Incoom is a mainstay on special teams with the Carolina Panthers, but he's pushing for more playing time at outside linebacker as well.

Lining up wide, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Incoom pursued an open rush lane. 

Except Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens sidestepped him and gained a first down at EverBank Stadium in Friday’s preseason game. A special teams ace, Incoom's presence on the Panthers opening day roster is virtually assured. But the former Division II national champion wants more, intending to develop into a more complete player. 

He's willing to prove it. 

Incoom seeks expanded NFL role 

The Panthers’ coaching staff, eager to solve the franchise's long-suffering pass rush, is providing an opportunity. With high-priced free agent Jaelan Phillips, Princely Umanmielen and Pat Jones II headlining the edge unit, depth roles need to be filled.  

Incoom, Cam Gill, Trevis Gipson and Bam Martin-Scott continue dueling for additional reps. Throughout training camp, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero experiments by alternating first-unit snaps. 

“(The starters) play at a high clip, really great effort,” coach Dave Canales said earlier this month. “And so, with our days we kind of just say, ‘OK, what was his load the day before?’ How can we manage that on the following day, which gives us a great opportunity to look at how the other guys look with the rush groups and how they play on first and second down with the first group.  

“So, great opportunities all across the board.”  

The Panthers’ leader with 16 special-teams tackles, while helping Carolina win its first NFC South title since 2015, Incoom, viewed as a foundational piece, wasted little time in the offseason to re-sign, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2 million deal in March.  

Details of his contact calls for Incoom to create more chances. According to Spotrac.com, he earns a $250,000 bonus for participating in 20% of defensive snaps. He could also pocket another $250,000 for compiling four sacks and $500,000 for six.  

With a new-look outside linebackers corps and a key contributor, Nic Scourton (knee), out for the season, the 27-year-old Incoom is focused on seizing more than a professional opportunity.   
“Not just becoming an all-around player, just to improve myself as a regular person, too,” Incoom said. “Just come in and work for special teams ... for defense ... whatever place my number is called.  I’m just trying to give the best I can be out there.”

That may mean not often getting drawn too far inside on run plays, as he did on a first-and-18. With Incoom occupied at the line of scrimmage, nickel cornerback Chau Wade-Smith faced a one-on-one situation with former Panthers running back Ameer Abdullah, who created a whiffed tackle attempt en route to a 23-yard gain.  

‘A lot of guys competing’

A Stone Mountain, Georgia, native who started his college career as a tight end at Valdosta State and won a Division II national title in 2018 before transferring to Central Michigan, Incoom played behind the starting edge trio during Friday's 34-17 win against the Jaguars. Incoom was credited with one tackle. 

In the Hall of Fame Game win on Aug. 6, Incoom showed he’d recovered from June shoulder surgery by participating in 42 snaps, including 36 on defense. 

“My training camp experience has been pretty good," he said. "A lot of guys are competing.”

In 2025, they compiled just 30 sacks, tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the third fewest in the NFL. In ‘24, they ranked No. 29 with 34 sacks. In ‘23, the first under Evero, they were No. 32 with 27. 

Rebounding from losing contain on Abdullah’s first-down run, Incoom pressured third-string quarterback Carter Bradley, but missed an ankle sack attempt to force an incomplete pass on third down. 
On the punt return team, Incoom was flagged for holding, erasing Jimmy Horn Jr.'s 19-yard return. 

Incoom said his drive for more opportunities has been aided by his “tight” peers.  

“It’s a great room, man,” he said. “A room full of great guys and everybody’s competing, helping each other get better day in and day out.  

“We help each other on the sidelines, too. Whatever we see, we’re just trying to coach each other so we can get better on the next rep. This is the tightest we have ever been in the room.”

Despite temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees, Incoom remained on the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium for an extra half-hour, working on fundamentals. 

He wants more and wants to prove it. 

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