The Panthers placed Thompson (Achilles) on injured reserve Saturday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Thompson tore his Achilles tendon during the Panthers' Week 4 loss to the Bengals. He underwent surgery to repair his Achilles on Wednesday, and he'll shift his focus toward being fully healthy for the 2025 season. In Thompson's absence, Claudin Cherelus is expected to slide into the starting inside linebacker role moving forward.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Undergoes surgery Wednesday
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Thompson underwent a season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair his torn Achilles tendon, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
The veteran linebacker tore his Achilles in the Panthers' Week 4 loss to the Bengals, and he had recorded 35 total tackles over 229 defensive snaps before his injury. With Thompson missing the remainder of Carolina's 2024 campaign, expect Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace to see increased playing time with the Panthers' first-team defense.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Carted off field
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Thompson left Sunday's game against the Bengals due to a heel injury and is questionable to return, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Thompson is more likely to be doubtful after he was carted off the field to the locker room, per Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340. With Josey Jewell (hamstring) doubtful to return, Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace will be the primary inside linebackers for the rest of Sunday's game.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Impresses again in Week 2
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Thompson recorded 14 total tackles (eight solo) during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers.
Despite Carolina's defensive struggles, Thompson has remained a bright spot, racking up an impressive 24 total stops across the team's first two contests. The veteran inside linebacker has now generated game-high tackle totals in both Week 1 and Week 2, and he's expected to continue being a valuable IDP option as the Panthers travel to Las Vegas in Week 3.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Ready for 2024
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Thompson said Wednesday that he feels "amazing" after suffering a fractured ankle nine months ago, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
According to Person, Thompson said that he also underwent another surgery this offseason to address a groin issue that originated in 2020. The 30-year-old linebacker added that he expects to play five more seasons in the NFL and hopes to retire as a Panther, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Thompson seems to be in good health and spirits heading into 2024, when he should reclaim a large role as the team's defensive field general.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Back on field
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Thompson (lower leg) is participating during voluntary workouts Tuesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Thompson fractured his fibula in Week 2 against the Saints, which sidelined the veteran linebacker for the remainder of the 2023 campaign. His ability to take part in drills Tuesday would suggest the 30-year-old has moved past the injury and is fully healthy as the Panthers begin preparations for the upcoming season.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Headed to IR
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Thompson (lower leg) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Thompson suffered a fractured fibula during Monday night's loss to the Saints and has since been placed on IR. The veteran linebacker had surgery Tuesday and will likely miss the remainder of this season. Expect Kamu Grugier-Hill and Claudin Cherelus' roles to expand, as the two will likely fill Carolina's void at inside linebacker going forward.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Gets surgery, likely done for 2023
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Panthers head coach Frank Reich said Tuesday that Thompson is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured fibula suffered in Monday's 20-17 loss to the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Kamu Grugier-Hill came on the replace Thompson in the Week 2 loss and is expected to start at inside linebacker along with Frankie Luvu now that Thompson has been lost for the season. Thompson, who led the team with a career-high 135 stops in 2022, recorded eight tackles through the Panthers' first two games before exiting Monday after New Orleans left tackle Trevor Penning landed on the back of Thompson's lower leg and ankle.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Fractures fibula
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Thompson is feared to have fractured his fibula in Monday's game against the Saints, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Thompson will need to undergo further tests to determine if he will be able to return this season. In his absence, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Claudin Cherelus will be candidates to replace him at inside linebacker opposite Frankie Luvu.
Thompson suffered a "significant" ankle injury in Monday's 20-17 loss to the Saints, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Thompson was carted off the field in the contest and head coach Frank Reich delivered the prognosis following Carolina's loss. The details of the linebacker's exact injury will likely come prior to the team's first practice of the week Wednesday.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Doubtful to return
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Thompson (shin) is doubtful to return Monday night against the Saints, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Thompson was carted off the field Monday night with a shin injury after Trevor Penning landed on his leg. With the 2015 first-round pick out, Kamu Grugier-Hill is now playing middle linebacker in his place.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Five tackles in opener
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Thompson recorded five tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Falcons.
Thompson is now in his ninth season with the Panthers and he's coming off a career-high 135 tackles in 2022. The linebacker's five takedowns from Week 1 are a good sign that he's going to remain heavily involved again this year.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Completes career year
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Thompson made a career-high 135 tackles (78 solo) while playing all 17 games in the 2022 season.
Thompson has now posted triple-digit stops for four straight seasons, with his total this year at least 20 more than any campaign prior. The veteran also broke up four passes and was credited with a half-sack. Although 2023 marks the final year of Thompson's contract with the Panthers, the team would save significant money by cutting him, raising doubt over his future. Wherever he suits up next season, though, Thompson should serve as a highly productive veteran linebacker.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Double-digit stops
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Thompson finished with 12 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Steelers.
Thompson's fourth double-digit tackling performance of the campaign included one stop for a loss. Through 14 games, his team-leading tally now sits at 110 tackles.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Plays every snap
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Thompson recorded nine tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Seahawks.
Thompson's nine tackle were his third-best effort of the season. His performance brings him to 98 total stops on the season, which will put him on pace to easily surpass his career high of 114 set back in 2020. The 28-year-old also added a quarterback hit while playing 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps for the fourth consecutive week.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Busy in victory
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Thompson finished with eight tackles (five solo) and one pass breakup in Thursday night's 25-15 win over the Falcons.
Thompson's tackle total included three stops for loss. The veteran has been highly productive lately, racking up 31 tackles over Carolina's last three games.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Makes 10 tackles
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Thompson finished with 10 tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Giants.
Thompson tied Frankie Luvu and Xavier Woods for Carolina's team lead in tackles. Through two games, the veteran linebacker now has logged 16 stops.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Off PUP list
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Thompson passed his physical and was activated off the active/PUP list Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
It appears Thompson has fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent during the offseason. The 28-year-old linebacker is coming off his third straight campaign with triple-digit tackles, and he figures to play a crucial role in Carolina's front seven again in 2022 (and perhaps push for low-end IDP production).
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Hits double figures
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Thompson finished with 11 tackles (nine solo) in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Falcons.
Thompson's tally trailed only Jeremy Chinn's for the team lead and included one stop for loss. The veteran has now posted five double-digit tackling performances in 10 games, bringing his overall total to 80 this season.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Gets sack Sunday
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Thompson finished with six tackles (four solo) and a sack in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Cardinals.
Thompson also defended two passes, putting together an impressive all-around display. His sack was his first since Week 1 and with his team-leading tally Sunday, Thompson now sports 51 tackles in his seven appearances this season.
