CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — Veteran linebacker and captain Shaq Thompson is believed to have torn his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, CSL confirmed through league sources.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the news and said he’s having an MRI on Monday to confirm the injury.
Thompson, in his fifth season as a captain in Carolina, was having a great year leading the team with 35 total tackles. He was carted off in the beginning of the fourth quarter during Sunday’s game against the Bengals.
This is a big blow to Thompson and the Panthers’ defense as he missed most of 2023 with a knee injury. In every season from 2015-2022, Thompson played in at least 14 games and has been the anchor of Carolina’s defense. Thompson’s injury comes just a few short weeks after co-captain and Pro Bowler Derrick Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1.
Fellow linebacker Josey Jewell is also expected to miss multiple weeks with hamstring and groin injuries. It’s not confirmed whether he’ll be placed on injured reserve.
The other inside linebackers on the roster include Claudin Cherelus, Trevin Wallace, and Jon Rhattigan.