Tag: Shaq Thompson

Panthers rule out D.J. Moore, Shaq Thompson for Week 17 vs. Saints

The New Orleans Saints will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 without top wide receiver D.J. Moore or starting linebacker Shaq Thompson.

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The Carolina Panthers preemptively ruled out two players ahead of their Week 17 regular season finale against the New Orleans Saints: wide receiver D.J. Moore and linebacker Shaq Thompson. Additionally, Panthers cornerback Corn Elder and linebacker/defensive end Marquis Haynes are questionable to play. Elder is battling an illness, while Haynes is dealing with a knee injury. This injury news was first reported by the Charlotte Observer’s Alaina Getzenberg.

Moore, who has been sidelined by a concussion, is an especially significant loss considering the success he had against the Saints in their last meeting. He caught six passes to gain 126 receiving yards, including two long touchdown catches, feasting against a New Orleans secondary that was overmatched without top cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Though Lattimore is back in the saddle and playing well, Moore would have expected to run against the same cornerback he fried last time (P.J. Williams, likely starting in place of Eli Apple).

Thompson is another big loss. He signed a four-year, $54.2 million contract extension (with bonuses raising its value to as high as $57 million) just three weeks ago, but he won’t be able to play against the Saints after sustaining late-season foot and shoulder injuries. Without him in the lineup, things could project well for Saints running back Alvin Kamara to continue building on the momentum he gained in last week’s big win over the Tennessee Titans — Kamara finally looked like his old self, running for 80 yards (and scoring twice) while catching six of his seven targets for 30 yards through the air.

We’ll learn more when the Saints and Panthers release their final injury report later on Friday. For now, it looks like the Saints are getting healthier, while the Panthers are getting close to throwing in the towel.

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Panthers injury updates: D.J. Moore, Shaq Thompson ruled out Week 17

According to team reporter Max Henson, wide receiver D.J. Moore and linebacker Shaq Thompson have both been ruled out this week.

In addition to being 12.5-point underdogs, the Panthers will be playing without two key pieces on Sunday against the Saints. According to team reporter Max Henson, wide receiver D.J. Moore and linebacker Shaq Thompson have both been ruled out this week. Thompson has been dealing with an ankle injury since the Seattle game but he also underwent shoulder surgery yesterday.

2018 fifth-round pick Jermaine Carter Jr. will take Thompson’s place next to Luke Kuechly. This will be his sixth career start.

As for Moore, he’s still in the concussion protocol. He did make some progress though and was working off to the side at Friday’s practice.

With Moore out we should expect to see more of Chris Hogan. He missed the middle of the season on injured reserve but was recently activated. Hogan has posted six catches for 53 yards. He’s also been working as a punt returner, totaling 16 yards on two attempts so far.

In related news, defensive end Marquis Haynes is listed as questionable with a knee injury. Cornerback Corn Elder (illness) is also questionable.

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Panthers Week 17 injury report: WR D.J. Moore (concussion) still out

Here’s how the Week 17 report is shaping up.

The Panthers have dealt with injuries all season, so it’s fitting that their last injury report of the year is as long as it is.

Here’s how the Week 17 report is shaping up.

Player Injury Wed Thu Fri Status
WR D.J. Moore Concussion DNP DNP
LB Shaq Thompson Ankle/Foot DNP DNP Out
DT Gerald McCoy Knee DNP Full
DE Marquis Haynes Knee DNP DNP
LB Andre Smith Ankle DNP Full
TE Ian Thomas Ankle Limited Full
S Tre Boston Shoulder Limited Limited
DE Brian Burns Shoulder Limited Full
TE Greg Olsen Knee Limited Limited
DT Kyle Love Ankle Limited Full
DT Woodrow Hamilton Illness Full Full

There was no practice on Wednesday because of the holiday, so those are unofficial designations.

Assuming Moore doesn’t play, we should see more of wide receivers like Chris Hogan and Brandon Zylstra. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner told the media today replacing Moore will be a group effort.

We definitely won’t see Thompson, who has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game. That means Jermaine Carter Jr. should get another chance to prove himself against the Saints.

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Panthers injury updates: D.J. Moore, Shaq Thompson miss Christmas Eve practice

Panthers WR D.J. Moore, LB Shaq Thompson miss Christmas Eve practice

The Panthers held a light walk-through practice today. As has been the case practically all season, there were a few faces missing.

Wide receiver D.J. Moore and linebacker Shaq Thompson were not spotted on the practice field. If defensive tackle Vernon Butler is going to get released for his actions on Sunday, it hasn’t happened yet. He was in attendance, per the Charlotte Observer.

Moore suffered a concussion early in Sunday’s game against the Colts. He finished the afternoon with one catch and one yard before being ruled out.

Thompson missed this past week due to an ankle injury he suffered in the previous game against the Seahawks. Jermaine Carter Jr. started in his place and likely will again Week 17.

It makes no sense to rush Moore back at this point in the season, especially since it’s a concussion. If this is the end of his 2019 campaign, he finished with 87 catches, 1,175 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Moore saw 135 targets total from his quarterbacks, more than any other Carolina player. Christian McCaffrey needs just four to pass him, though.

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Panthers injury updates: 3 players ruled out, 2 questionable vs. Colts

With Thompson out, Jermaine Carter Jr. should get the fifth start of his career.

The Panthers have ruled out three players for Sunday’s matchup against the Colts.

Linebacker Shaq Thompson will miss his first game of the season due to an ankle injury, while EDGE Marquis Haynes will also sit out due to a knee issue. Offensive lineman Garrett McGhin (ankle) has also been placed on the injured reserve list and won’t be available.

Two players are listed as questionable.

Defensive tackle Vernon Butler came down with an illness and did not participate in practice either today or Thursday. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel also sat out with a knee issue. On the bright side, interim head coach Perry Fewell said he expects both to play.

With Thompson out, Jermaine Carter Jr. should get the fifth start of his career.

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Panthers injury updates: LB Shaq Thompson doubtful vs. Colts

Panthers injury updates: LB Shaq Thompson doubtful vs. Colts

The Panthers have been missing key pieces due to injuries all year. The same familiar theme may be playing out again this week.

According to team reporter Max Henson, interim head coach Perry Fewell says linebacker Shaq Thompson is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Colts. He is struggling with a sore ankle.

If Thompson can’t go, Fewell says Jermaine Carter Jr. will take his place in the lineup. Carter has made a living as a special teams standout. He has appeared in 30 games for the Panthers since they picked him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He’s only started four times, though.

In related news, the defensive line in particular looks to be in bad shape going into Week 16. Three DL sat out the first practice of the week on Wednesday and today another joined the group. Defensive tackle Vernon Butler is dealing with an illness and has been sent home to quarantine him.

Butler has performed well in the absence of Kawann Short and Dontari Poe. He’s playing in the last year of his rookie contract and might be worth bringing back.

If Butler doesn’t play, expect to see more of Kyle Love and Stacy McGee.

Another addition to the injury report is wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who was listed as a limited participant with a knee issue.

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Did the Panthers overpay for Shaq Thompson’s new deal?

Linebacker Shaq Thompson has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $57 million, according to Adam Schefter at ESPN.

With the 2019 season officially written off, the Panthers began turning their attention to 2020 and beyond this week. First, they fired coach Ron Rivera after nearly nine years at the helm and named Perry Fewell the interim head coach. Today, Carolina followed that move by securing one of the cornerstones of its defense.

Linebacker Shaq Thompson has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $57 million, according to Adam Schefter at ESPN. While paying Thompson was never a question, the sum is significant enough to raise concerns. Some Panthers fans on Twitter are openly wondering if the team overpaid.

Let’s open this up to a vote. Do you think Thompson got more than market value, or was it a fair deal?

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Thompson’s new contract ranks him among the top-five best paid off-ball linebackers in the NFL.

The timing is a bit strange and he’s coming off a rough game against Washington. Thompson also hasn’t made the impact we expected from him in a contract year. Then again, Thompson (along with the rest of the defense) may be suffering in part due to Rivera’s shift to 3-4 looks, which have often put the linebackers out of position to make the stops they normally would.

We expect Thompson to bounce back over these last four weeks and start next season strong. If he doesn’t, we may hear familiar tones about GM Marty Hurney being too generous once again.

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Panthers announce 4-year extension for LB Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a four-year contract extension with linebacker Shaq Thompson, per the team website.

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a four-year contract extension with linebacker Shaq Thompson, per the team website.

According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, Thompson’s new deal is worth up to $57 million that includes $28 million in guaranteed money plus a $16 million signing bonus.

Thompson is one of the most integral parts of Carolina’s defense and signing him to an extension was always going to be a no-brainer.

Since they picked him in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, Thompson has played in 68 regular season games for the Panthers, totaling 9.5 sacks, 331 combined tackles (27 for a loss) and 19 QB hits.

With Thompson locked up, the next guy in line for an extension should be cornerback James Bradberry. He’s playing in the last year of his rookie contract and has earned a significant pay-raise.

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Derrius Guice’s nasty stiff-arm draws loads of buzz on Twitter

Guice had a massive stiff-arm on Shaq Thompson Sunday afternoon, and the internet had fun with it.

Even if you didn’t happen to be watching the Washington Redskins game — a blowout victory over the Carolina Panthers that ended up coming down to the last play of the game after Washington did everything they could to lose — you likely saw a play from second-year running back Derrius Guice circulating on social media.

On a 37-yard run in the second half that was stopped a yard shy of the endzone, Guice sent Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson into the dirt with a nasty stiff-arm that turned heads in the NFL.

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Mailbag: What lies ahead for the Detroit Lions?

This week’s Lions Wire mailbag is looking forward to 2020, talking draft, free agency, and potential coaching changes.

The Detroit Lions 2019 season appears to be over, or at least, Lions’ fans think so.

While I try to stay optimistic, I will admit that things aren’t looking pretty. The Lions are down a starting quarterback, lack any depth at running back, and the defense looks to be really struggling. They might not be able to salvage the season, but maybe there will some glimpses of hope for the future.

This week’s mailbag is looking forward to 2020, talking draft, free agency, and potential coaching changes.

What linebackers in the draft or potential free agents fit the Lions’ size and style for next season? — @RICH_K13

I’ll be honest, I’m not too studied up on this year’s draft prospects, so I’ll focus on upcoming free agents.

[Editor’s note: Keep an eye on Ohio State’s Malik Harrison]

If the Lions want to go out and spend some big money on a free agent linebacker, 2020 would be a good time to do it.

One name that stuck out was Shaq Thompson of the Carolina Panthers. The 26-year-old linebacker will hit free agency fresh off of his rookie contract, and though he has stated that he’d like to remain with the Panthers, the appeal a big payday could lure him to a place like Detroit.

As we’ve seen, defensive players want to play for head coach Matt Patricia. Maybe Thompson will feel the same way. He fits the bill for what the Lions want in a linebacker; he can rush the passer, he can drop into coverage, he can make plays on the ball. He would thrive in Patricia’s defense.

Rank the players in order of likelihood to make the 2020 roster: Darius Slay, Sam Martin, Jarrad Davis, Taylor Decker. — @ZugIreland

Tier 1: Slay, Martin, Davis, Decker.

Slay, Martin and Decker are more than likely locked into starting roles heading into next season. Davis has struggled, but it’s far too early to give up on him.

All four will be Lions next season.

How many wins would the Lions have to get to in order for Matt Patricia to get one more year? — @rayray1222

Look, this season hasn’t been pretty, but at this point, any losses the Lions get are more reflective of them losing their starting quarterback, not the coaching.

I think next year will be Patricia’s make-or-break season. I could see a mid-season firing if his 2020 campaign has a rough start.

Chances of us drafting a QB like Jalen Hurts in this upcoming draft? Is it time to start looking at Stafford’s successor? — @TheBlackPH30N1X

I don’t think Detroit will be moving on from Stafford any time soon. But, like general manager Bob Quinn said, drafting quarterbacks is ‘good football business’.

Especially after looking at the most recent game against Chicago, I do think the Lions should invest some of their day 2 draft capital on a backup quarterback.

Grooming a quarterback behind Stafford for the next few seasons would be a smart move by Quinn. We saw how bad things are when we don’t have our starter.

I’m currently looking at Utah State’s Jordan Love. I see a lot of Stafford’s game in him, so he’d be my perfect draft prospect for Detroit.

Who are the most eligible candidates for defensive coordinator if the Lions move on from Paul Pasquiloni? — @ZugIreland

One name that I like right now is Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard.

Known for helping put together Seattle’s Legion of Boom, I think Richard could do a lot to help Detroit’s defense. This team has big holes at both cornerback and safety heading into next season, and a guy like Richard would be a valuable asset come draft time.

He served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017, so he’d be reuniting with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as well.

Who do you think the Lions should draft with their number-one draft pick this coming April? — @B_Lake007

The Lions may be drafting top-ten, but definitely not number one.

I’d go linebacker or defensive end if I were Bob Quinn. As I said earlier, I’m not caught up on this year’s top prospects, so ask again in March.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions this week!

Be sure to get those questions in next week, and give me a follow while you’re at it, on Twitter @maxgerbs.