Star Lotulelei Underwent Shoulder Surgery in Offseason

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei underwent offseason surgery to clean up his shoulder, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported Thursday.

According to Person, Lotulelei was limited in minicamp but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Lotulelei is coming off a season that saw him make 26 tackles and register a career-high four sacks in 16 starts.

The 27-year-old veteran was a first-round pick out of Utah in 2013, and he is part of one of the NFL's best defensive fronts.

Along with Kawann Short, Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers, Lotulelei figures to be a key component in helping the Panthers get back to the playoffs in 2017.

Should the recovery process take longer than anticipated, 2016 first-round pick Vernon Butler could be asked to take on greater responsibility.