Shaq Thompson Injury Update: Panthers LB suffered torn Achilles tendon

The Carolina Panthers have bad news about their linebacker’s injury Shaq Thompson. According to Ian Rapoport, it is believed that he tore his Achilles heel

The injury occurred during Carolina’s loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Thompson will have an MRI on Monday to confirm the injury.

The timing of the injury is particularly frustrating for Shaq Thompson. He played some of his best football at the start of the season and this is the final year of his current contract. At 30, he will be a free agent in the offseason and this injury could impact his ability to find the right new deal.

This season, Thompson has been a leader in Carolina’s defense from his linebacker position, totaling 35 tackles in his four games. He also has two tackles for a loss and a quarterback hit. Those 35 tackles made Thompson the team leader in tackles to that point in the season. Another linebacker, Josey Jewellis second with 30 tackles so far.

This injury comes a season after Shaq Thompson was only able to play in two games last season. He broke his fibula and was placed on injured reserve in September 2023. Unfortunately, injuries have become a problem for Thompson in his career, having played at least 14 games per season for the first eight seasons of his career.

Shaq Thompson played his college football for Washington Huskieswhere he was an All-American and won the Paul Hornung Award to recognize him as a high-caliber and versatile player. He was selected in the first round by the Panthers in 2015 and has since spent his entire career with Carolina.

This comes amid a difficult season for the Carolina Panthers, who are currently just 1-3 and in fourth place in a competitive NFC South. Additionally, the team has already benched last year’s first-round pick at quarterback Bryce Young. After going 2-15 last season and not having a winning record since 2017, things have been bad for Carolina.

As a team, Carolina struggled on defense, giving up 32.3 points per game along with 209.3 passing yards and 148.8 rushing yards per game.

Now the Panthers must find a way to replace both Shaq Thompson’s production and the leadership he brought to the defense. It won’t be easy, but they will need an answer before facing the Chicago Bears next Sunday.