Edge rusher D.J. Wonnum is expected to play for the first time in almost a year on Sunday when the Carolina Panthers face the New York Giants in Munich, Germany, ESPN reported Saturday.
Wonnum hasn’t played since sustaining a torn quadriceps muscle late in a Christmas Eve game last season while playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite the injury, the Panthers signed Wonnum to a two-year deal worth $12.5 million in March.
An infection and eventual blood clots have slowed Wonnum’s recovery. After practicing the past two weeks, however, Panthers coach Dave Canales said Friday that his positive performance in practice opened up the “possibility” of returning to play.
Wonnum, 27, had 62 tackles and eight sacks in 15 games (14 starts) last season with the Vikings, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He registered 171 tackles and 23 sacks in 62 career games (31 starts).
The Panthers (2-7) face the Giants (2-7) on Sunday.
