Shaq Thompson injury update: Panthers HC Frank Reich claims LB’s “significant” injury needs extended time to recover

The Carolina Panthers are now sitting in the fourth spot of the NFC South after embracing the embarrassment of facing back-to-back losses in their last two matches. Besides this misfortune, they are also going to face the huge blow of losing linebacker Shaq Thompson amid the regular season.

The Panthers exercised their first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to enroll him in their roster, and Thompson proved their decision right by establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the league. Hence, after recently going down to the New Orleans Saints, the uncertainty of his presence will hit like a nightmare for the Panthers.

Panthers HC Frank Reich claims Shaq Thompson suffered a “significant” injury

According to Adam Schefter, senior NFL Insider of ESPN, the Carolina Panthers’ head coach Frank Reich discussed the update of Thompson following the match saying the LB suffered a “significant” ankle injury.

The HC said the franchise would know of his condition in detail after their vet undergoes medical tests on Tuesday. He could not ensure if the 29-year-old broke his ankle and said he might need a substantial amount of time to recover.

However, Adam Schefter ruled out the possibility of the footballer heading back to the field anytime soon.

The Panthers made some major moves in their LB room in the last few years. The franchise traded Denzel Perryman and bid adieu to other veterans like Jermaine Carter as well as Damien Wilson, but they stayed loyal to Shaq Thompson during the whole time.

The team captain is also the longest-tenured defender as well as the second-longest-tenured player in the squad now. Following his absence, Kamu Grugier-Hill will be the one to lead the LB room alongside Frankie Luvu in the team’s lineup.

What happened to Shaq Thompson?

During the first quarter of the Panthers vs. Saints match on Monday night, Carolina defensive lineman DeShawn Williams and New Orleans offensive lineman Trevor Penning got involved in a block that led them to roll up on the back of Shaq Thompson’s right leg. Penning landed directly on the back of his leg when he was trying to make a tackle.

The footballer seemingly went through serious pain and stayed on the field before being carted off. The majority of the Panthers’ squad headed to the field before the vet had to exit for further treatment.

The LB became only the fifth player in franchise history to record a minimum of 100 tackles in four straight seasons by scoring a career-high 135 tackles last season. He was given a pay cut by the franchise this offseason from his four-year, $54.43M extension signed in 2019. However, Thompson was determined to keep enrolled in the roster even on the revised deal.

What’s your take on Shaq Thompson’s injury? Tell us in the comments.