For the second consecutive week, the Carolina Panthers find themselves dealing with a significant injury blow to their defense. Linebacker and team captain, Shaq Thompson, sustained what head coach Frank Reich has described as a “significant” ankle injury during the first quarter of the game.
The Panthers appear to have suffered a second straight "significant" injury to a defensive starter, and losing team captain Shaq Thompson was difficult for his teammates to process in the moment.https://t.co/TKXDF0ebSK
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) September 19, 2023
Coach Reich provided some initial insights, stating, “Probably going to miss some extended time,” but emphasized the need for further evaluation by medical experts, “But we need some further evaluation tomorrow with the doc.”
The injury occurred when Saints left tackle Trevor Penning inadvertently fell across Thompson’s leg after a play. Thompson went down immediately, prompting his teammates to take a knee in concern. He was subsequently carted off the field for X-rays, with the entire roster rallying around him in support.
#Panthers LB Shaq Thompson suffered an injury to his ankle that is likely to keep him out the rest of the season, sources say. He’ll have tests tomorrow to get more information. Coach Frank Reich called it “significant.” A brutal injury to one of Carolina’s leaders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 19, 2023
Coach Frank Reich has confirmed that Shaq Thompson’s injury is quite serious, which has led to speculation about the possibility of the experienced leader being out for the rest of the season. After nine seasons with the Panthers, Thompson, a great athlete, has grown into the role of an emotional leader for the team. You could see the impact he made when the entire Panthers bench hurried onto the field to give him their good wishes before he went for more evaluation.
“There’s no doubt who the leader is on this team,” Derrick Brown said. “And I think you saw that, and you know, for him to go down to hurt everybody.”
#Panthers veteran LB Shaq Thompson suffered a “significant” ankle injury during tonight’s loss to New Orleans, per HC Frank Reich.
One of the most respected players in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/SVTmahhRF0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 19, 2023
Thompson, who has been with the Carolina team for a long time, had a remarkable 135 tackles in the last season. This really showed how important he is to the team’s defense. He is one of just five players in the history of the franchise who have managed to record at least 100 tackles in four consecutive seasons.
