Thompson (hamstring) notched two solo tackles during Thursday's preseason loss to the Patriots.
Thompson appears fully recovered from his hamstring injury. The fifth-year pro projects to transition to inside linebacker this season, where he'll likely benefit from increased tackle opportunities at the cost of sacks.
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Panthers' Cam Newton: Cautiously optimistic for Week 1
Rotowire
13H ago
Newton was diagnosed Friday morning with a mid-foot sprain, leading Panthers general manager Marty Hurney to say he's "cautiously optimistic" the quarterback will be ready for Week 1, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Hurney is acknowledging the possibility of a regular-season absence, but he at least seems to believe Newton's injury isn't a long-term problem. The quarterback initially was thought to have hurt his left ankle, which previously required surgery in March 2014 and was sprained again last November. Despite getting good news from initial X-rays, Newton used a walking boot on his left foot after making an early exit from Thursday's preseason game against New England. The Panthers' backup QB situation suddenly comes under the microscope, with Kyle Allen, Will Grier and Taylor Heinicke all looking bad through the first three weeks of the preseason. Allen was the first man in after Newton in Thursday's contest, while Heinicke didn't play at all.
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Panthers' Ian Thomas: Returns to face Pats
Rotowire
15H ago
Thomas couldn't haul in his lone target in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Thomas overcame his minor rib injury suffered in Carolina's exhibition opener to feature for 31 snaps, which tied for the team lead on offense. Although he didn't make any catches in that extended action, Thomas still figures to be an important piece to the Panthers, especially given fellow tight end Greg Olsen's horrible recent track record of foot injuries.
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Panthers' Greg Olsen: Gets taste of preseason
Rotowire
14H ago
Olsen caught his lone target for four yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Olsen's first and probably only preseason action saw him feature for just nine snaps. However, in catching a pass from Cam Newton to start Carolina's second series, the veteran should now feel fully prepared for his 13th season. In 2019, Olsen will aim to avoid more foot complications, which have sidelined him for 16 games over the past two years. After Newton suffered an ankle sprain Thursday, the tight end will hope his signal caller can remain healthy as well.
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Panthers' Reggie Bonnafon: Continues push for roster spot
Rotowire
15H ago
Bonnafon rushed twice for six yards and caught both his targets for 31 yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Bonnafon is looking increasingly close to making the Panthers' regular season roster, as his 17 offensive snaps dwarfed fellow tailbacks Cameron Artis-Payne and Elijah Holyfield's combined one play on offense. As it stands, Jordan Scarlett appears likely to back up star Christian McCaffrey, but Bonnafon could ultimately be the third option depending on how next week's exhibition finale against the Steelers shakes out.
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Panthers' Cameron Artis-Payne: Doesn't feature on offense
Rotowire
15H ago
Artis-Payne didn't play any offensive snaps in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Artis-Payne merely featured on two special teams plays. Meanwhile, rookie fifth-rounder Jordan Scarlett entered the game behind star tailback Christian McCaffrey and led the team with 10 carries. Although Elijah Holyfield's mere one snap on offense should somewhat relieve Artis-Payne, Reggie Bonnafon has shown enough in the preseason to cast doubt over both players' futures with the Panthers. With that in mind, it'll be interesting to see how the running back snaps are divided in next week's exhibition finale versus the Steelers.
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Panthers' Curtis Samuel: Hauls in two passes
Rotowire
15H ago
Samuel caught two of his three targets for 16 yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Samuel's first catch came from Cam Newton on Carolina's third offensive series. The starting wideout didn't play much after, but should now be ready for the regular season. With Newton suffering an ankle sprain, however, Samuel will hope his signal caller is fully healthy in time for Week 1.
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Panthers' D.J. Moore: Gets first target
Rotowire
14H ago
Moore caught one of his two targets for three yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Moore's reception came on Carolina's first passing play of the game, but he only featured for 17 snaps total. While it wouldn't be surprising if he sits out next week's exhibition finale, perhaps the most pressing storyline surrounding the Panthers' top receiving target is the health of quarterback Cam Newton, who suffered a sprained ankle Thursday. Moore's optimal stock would ideally be paired with a fully fit Newton, so the latter's status could be worthwhile to monitor ahead of the regular season.
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Panthers' Cam Newton: Needs MRI for ankle
Rotowire
16H ago
While he hopes Newton's ankle injury isn't too serious, Panthers general manger Hurney admitted he won't have a good idea until some point Friday, ESPN.com's David Newton reports.
X-rays came back negative after Newton was removed from Thursday's exhibition against New England, but he did use a walking boot to protect an injury that's initially being labelled as an ankle sprain. The quarterback has some history with the same left ankle, including surgery in March 2014 and a mid-game injury that caused him to miss three snaps Week 11 of last season. Newton is scheduled for an MRI on Friday, while Kyle Allen, Will Grier and Taylor Heinicke are the other options at quarterback if the starter's injury necessitates a regular-season absence. Allen replaced Newton on Thursday but didn't do anything to instill confidence.
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Panthers' Christian McCaffrey: Features against Pats
Rotowire
1D ago
McCaffrey rushed three times for 16 yards and caught one of his two targets for 10 yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
McCaffrey's first and likely only taste of the preseason included just three drives, but saw him rip off a long run of 13 yards while also gaining a first down through the air. The dual-threat dynamo will probably now sit Carolina's final exhibition outing before preparing for a Week 1 clash against the Rams to kick off his hotly anticipated third professional campaign.
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Panthers' Jordan Scarlett: Leads Carolina in carries
Rotowire
15H ago
Scarlett rushed 10 times for 24 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Scarlett entered the contest after Christian McCaffrey, adding confidence to his prospects of serving as Carolina's top backup this season. Although the rookie fifth-rounder didn't produce all that much, his involvement should surely have fellow tailbacks Cameron Artis-Payne and Elijah Holyfield on alert ahead of the regular season roster cut down, especially considering those two combined to play one offensive snap Thursday.
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Panthers' Kyle Allen: Enters after Newton
Rotowire
14H ago
Allen completed three of six passes for 16 yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Allen entered after Cam Newton's three drives, which actually ended in Newton suffering an ankle sprain. Although Allen hardly produced in his latest opportunity, if Newton's Week 1 status is impacted by his ailment, either Allen or rookie Will Grier would seemingly grow in importance, perhaps making Carolina's backup race even more worthy of monitoring.
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Panthers' Greg Little: Being evaluated for concussion
Rotowire
1D ago
Little was carted to the locker room during Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots to be evaluated for a concussion, Brendan Marks of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Little emerged from the locker room after the exhibition and assured head coach Ron Rivera that he feels fine, per Joe Person of The Athletic, though it's unclear if he's in concussion protocol.
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Panthers' Will Grier: Closes third exhibition outing
Rotowire
1D ago
Grier completed four of eight passes for 44 yards in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Grier was the third Panthers quarterback to enter the game, featuring behind Cam Newton and Kyle Allen. However, with Newton leaving the contest with an ankle sprain and Allen connecting on just three of six attempts for 16 yards, Grier's situation could be one to track. Although neither he nor Allen have really impressed this preseason, if Newton's injury clouds his Week 1 status, Carolina's second-stringer would suddenly gain value, potentially making the team's determination between Grier and Allen all the more important.
Newton's injury is being labeled as a left ankle sprain after his X-rays came back negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
While initial tests indicate Newton avoided a major injury, he'll likely have an MRI on Friday. His status for the start of the regular season should become more clear in the coming days.
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Panthers' Cam Newton: Spotted in walking boot
Rotowire
15H ago
Newton was spotted in a walking boot after Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Newton's injury doesn't appear to be serious, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, so the QB may be wearing a walking boot as a precaution. He'll likely undergo further testing Friday to determine the extent of the issue.
Panthers' Cam Newton: Exits early with foot injury
Rotowire
1D ago
Newton was forced out of Thursday's preseason tilt against the Patriots with a foot injury.
Newton sustained the injury after being sacked by Adam Butler. It's unclear how serious the injury is. Newton was scheduled for three or four drives in the contest after being held out of the previous two preseason games.
