Tag: Shaq Thompson

Panthers still trying to work through replacing Shaq Thompson

The Panthers and DC Ejiro Evero are still trying to figure out how to replace LB Shaq Thompson.

Shaq Thompson has been a Carolina Panther for almost a decade—and that’s not by happenstance. So, it may not be easy to just replace him.

Unfortunately, that’ll be the task for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and his unit—as the 29-year-old linebacker and team captain is likely lost for the season due to a fractured fibula. Evero was asked on Thursday about how he plans on filling the huge void in the middle of his defense.

“We are still trying to work through all those different things,” he replied. “We felt really good about how Kamu [Grugier-Hill] played in the game. Debo [Deion Jones], obviously, is gonna be up now. He’s gonna provide some depth, and we’re kinda workin’ through all those rotational things. Chandler Wooten is in play. So, we’re kinda considerin’ everybody.”

After Thompson was carted away in the first quarter of Monday night’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints, Grugier-Hill stepped up with an impressive relief appearance. The eighth-year defender, who’s really considered more of a special teamer, recorded six tackles and a sack in Carolina’s 20-17 loss.

Evero then spoke about what Grugier-Hill, and Jones, can bring in an expanded role.

“Very athletic, very smart, very stable,” he replied. “But, ya know, him and Debo are very similar type of players. They’re both guys that are . . . really good skill set in terms of coverage, runnin’ to the ball. Both smart guys.”

Jones was signed to the active roster on Wednesday. The former Pro Bowler had spent the last week and change as a member of the team’s practice squad.

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Panthers add Deion Jones to active roster

After losing LB Shaq Thompson, the Panthers have added former Pro Bowler Deion Jones to their active roster.

The Carolina Panthers needed some help in the middle of their defense following the devastating, and likely season-ending, injury to Shaq Thompson. So, they officially added it on Wednesday.

As announced by the team, linebacker Deion Jones has been brought up to the active roster. He had been a member of the practice squad for the past week, signing back to the locker room on Sept. 11.

Jones first joined the Panthers as a free agent during the summer. But, in a bit of a surprise, the former Pro Bowler was released during the team’s cutdown to their initial 53-man roster.

Head coach Frank Reich offered a bit of insight into how the defense may go about replacing Thompson, who underwent successful surgery on his fibula on Tuesday.

“Kamu [Grugier-Hill] played very well,” he said this afternoon. “So, he’s gonna get a lot of play. We might rotate some through. We’re gonna continue to evaluate that. Kamu is also such a great special teams contributor. So we just gotta weight out how we’re gonna approach that.”

Quarterback Jake Luton, who also spent the offseason with Carolina, was signed into Jones’ vacant spot on the practice squad.

The Panthers also swapped out cornerbacks within the group—releasing Mark Milton and signing former Los Angeles Ram Robert Rochell.

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Panthers place Shaq Thompson on IR

The Panthers have officially placed LB Shaq Thompson on IR.

As announced on Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers have officially placed linebacker Shaq Thompson on injured reserve.

The ninth-year veteran sustained a fractured fibula in the first quarter of last night’s 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He was carted off the field after Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning was thrown into the back of his leg on the tail end of a tackle.

Head coach Frank Reich, who confirmed the break earlier this afternoon, had the following to say about Thompson:

“I am, unfortunately, able to confirm that it is a fractured fibula. And he did have a successful surgery this morning, he’s doin’ well. But he will likely miss the remainder of the season.

“So, tough loss. Obviously, he’s a great player. He’s our emotional leader. I know the guys will pick it up for him, and I know he’s behind us and supportin’ us every way he can.”

Thompson now joins tight end Stephen Sullivan, left guard Brady Christensen, outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. and cornerback Jaycee Horn on the injured reserve list.

The move also opens up an additional roster spot for the Panthers, who are now carrying 51 players.

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Shaq Thompson will likely miss remainder of season with fractured fibula

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson has undergone surgery on a fractured fibula and is likely to miss the remainder of the 2023 season.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson probably won’t see the field again in this, his ninth NFL season.

Head coach Frank Reich told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that Thompson, who was carted off in the first quarter of last night’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints, is likely done for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

“I am, unfortunately, able to confirm that it is a fractured fibula,” Reich said solemnly. “And he did have a successful surgery this morning, he’s doin’ well. But he will likely miss the remainder of the season.

“So, tough loss. Obviously, he’s a great player. He’s our emotional leader. I know the guys will pick it up for him, and I know he’s behind us and supportin’ us every way he can.”

Thompson sustained the injury after Saints left tackle Trevor Penning was tossed into his leg from behind.

Kamu Grugier-Hill came on to replace him, finishing with six tackles and a sack over 60 defensive snaps.

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Shaq Thompson sustains ‘significant ankle injury’ in Week 2

According to HC Frank Reich, LB Shaq Thompson will likely miss “some extended time” after sustaining what he described as a significant ankle injury.

The Carolina Panthers are already down one of their top defenders in cornerback Jaycee Horn, who just underwent surgery on an injured hamstring. So, what happened early in Monday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints certainly won’t help.

Following the 20-17 loss, head coach Frank Reich told reporters that linebacker Shaq Thompson sustained a “significant ankle injury,” one that’ll presumably keep him sidelined for quite a bit.

“Probably gonna miss some extended time, but we need some further evaluation tomorrow with the docs,” Reich said. “So we’ll give you the information when we have a full evaluation.”

The ninth-year veteran left during the first quarter of the contest, after Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning was thrown into his ankle by defensive lineman DeShawn Williams. He would have to be carted off the field and was replaced by Kamu Grugier-Hill.

Thompson, now 29 years old, played in all 17 games for Carolina last season—notching a career-high 135 combined tackles.

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Shaq Thompson leaves Week 2 game with shin injury

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson (shin) is doubtful to return tonight.

Shaq Thompson’s ninth career home opener came to an early end on Monday night.

The veteran linebacker was carted off the field during the first quarter of tonight’s Week 2 matchup between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.

Thompson, who made the tackle of quarterback Taysom Hill on a first-and-10 run, had his foot rolled on by a little extracurricular activity. That unfortunate turn of events saw Saints left tackle Trevor Penning get tossed into Thompson by Panthers defensive lineman DeShawn Williams.

Thompson would then be met on the cart by his teammates, who came off the sideline to send the respected leader off into the locker room.

The Panthers have listed Thompson with a shin injury. He is doubtful to return to the contest.

Kamu Grugier-Hill has since replaced Thompson in the middle of the Carolina defense. Along with Grugier-Hill, the Panthers also have fellow inside backers Chandler Wooten and Claudin Cherelus in uniform.

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Shaq Thompson expects Panthers to get deal done with Brian Burns

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson on Brian Burns: Everybody upstairs better know he better be out there by Wednesday

Not only did Shaq Thompson not want to speak on another player’s business, but he also didn’t have to speak about how valuable Brian Burns is to the Carolina Panthers. But he did anyway.

Following Monday’s walkthrough, where Burns opted not to participate amidst a push for a contract extension, Thompson was asked about his fellow linebacker. And while he really wasn’t looking to divulge many words on the topic, he certainly didn’t mince them.

“I don’t really like talkin’ about other people,” he told reporters. “Everybody here knows, everybody outside of here knows, everybody in the stands know, everybody above us knows what he deserves and what he should be gettin’ paid. And they know what to do to make it right before Week 1.”

While Burns has not (at least publicly) threatened a holdout if a deal is not reached—his absence, the second in as many outings for the team, is a bit worrisome. It’s even more concerning, with the season opener approaching, given the Panthers just placed backup edge defender Marquis Haynes Sr. on injured reserve earlier in the day.

But Thompson, the second-longest tenured player in that locker room, seemingly feels like an agreement will happen.

“Everybody upstairs better know he better be out there by Wednesday,” he added. “He’s a big factor on the defense. He’s the one it really starts with. Him and Derrick [Brown]—there’s where it starts with. And they’ll make it right.”

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WATCH: Video of Saturday’s fight at Panthers training camp

Here’s a clip of Saturday’s little dust-up between the Panthers offensive linemen and linebackers:

A few Carolina Panthers did more than just get “back together” on Saturday.

In a minor hiccup during an otherwise fun afternoon, the team had themselves some tag team action. Following a takedown of wideout C.J. Saunders in team drills, offensive linemen Larnel Coleman and J.D. DiRenzo got into a shoving match with linebackers Jordan Thomas and Brandon Smith.

Here, courtesy of FOX Charlotte’s Will Kunkel, is a clip of the small scuffle:

Head coach Frank Reich commented on his team’s first dustup of the summer following practice.

“I’m not really lookin’ for any of that,” he said. “I’m not tryin’ to manufacture the emotion. It happens sometimes. And for us out there, right, it’s like, ‘ho-hum.’ It’s gonna happen at some point. But really, the energy and enthusiasm and the grit and the fight really has to come within.

“So, I think our guys have been doing that. When you have those moments there, you just move on and you stay focused.”

Luckily, cooler heads prevailed. Veteran backer Shaq Thompson would later play peacemaker between the offense and defense, something Reich seemed glad to see.

“These guys—they know what time it is,” Reich added. “They know how to take care of themselves. And everybody knows, we’re tryin’ to accomplish something special, and we wanna do something special. We can’t one of our guys gettin’ hurt fightin’ each other. Not much made of it. They guys know it, know how to handle it and did a good job.”

In a totally unrelated note, the pads go on starting Monday!

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Panthers training camp tracker: Observations and takeaways from Day 2

A couple of early training camp stars are emerging for the Panthers down in Spartanburg.

After a thrilling start to training camp on Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers returned to the field at Wofford College for their second practice this morning.

Here are the top takeaways and observations from the session: