Shaq

Thompson

Thompson will have an MRI to confirm, but if the worst is confirmed, the Panthers’ star linebacker will be out for the season. Thompson has been solid this season for the Panthers, totaling 35 tackles and two TFLs in his four games. He saw his 2023 season limited to just two games after fracturing his fibula in Week 2, making this the second-straight season in which he’s suffered a season-ending injury in the first month of the campaign.

The veteran linebacker missed all but two games last year with an ankle injury, and it appears that he is dealing with another leg injury here. Thompson was able to walk off the field and into the blue medical tent, but they had to back the cart up right to the door of the tent to allow Thompson to get on. We’ll provide an update when we get more information, but it’s safe to say that he will not return to Week 4’s contest.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Panthers reduced Thompson’s base salary to $3.1 million while giving him $1.7 million in guaranteed money. The move clears roughly $3 million in cap space for the Panthers, who have just over $18 million in available cap. Thompson played in only two games for the Panthers last season due to a season-ending leg injury but should be ready to participate in offseason programs and training camp.

The veteran linebacker recently had surgery and has begun his rehab in the Panthers’ facility. He was allegedly in good spirits on Wednesday and suggested there’s a chance he could return from his fractured fibula since the timeline is three months. That would put his possible return in December. It’s a longshot but not impossible.

Thompson was carted off on Monday night after Saints left tackle Trevor Penning fell onto his right ankle. Unfortunately, Panthers head coach Frank Reich confirmed that Thompson would miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fibula. The linebacker led the team with 135 tackles last season, and his loss is another tough blow to this Carolina defense a week after losing starting cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) for an extended period of time.

Saints left tackle Trevor Penning fell onto Thompson’s right ankle late in the first corner. Thompson stayed on the field, visibly in pain, before the medical staff came out to look at him. He was eventually helped to the cart and left the game. Thompson was later listed as doubtful to return.

Thompson was rumored to be a potential cap casualty due to a $24.5 million cap hit in 2023. Although the details of the deal have yet to be announced, it is clear the organization reworked his contract to keep a veteran presence in the second level for a lower number against the cap. All parties should be satisfied as an aging linebacker gets an additional year on his contract while the Panthers retain a defensive captain.

Person points out in his article over on The Athletic that the Panthers are $9.5 million over the cap and that cutting Thompson would result in $13.2 million in cap savings -- and an $11.3 million hit in dead money. The team has already re-worked Thompson’s contract twice and he’s currently set to earn $24.46 million in the final year of his deal. Thompson put forth a solid season in 2022, totaling 135 tackles and eight TFLs, but cutting the soon-to-be 28-year old would be an easy way to get under the cap.

The team’s plan was to activate Thompson in time to ramp up for the team’s Week 1 game against the Browns. Thompson has more than 104 combined tackles in three straight seasons and should again be in the LB1 mix in IDP leagues. He’s coming off a 2021 season in which he finished with a 72.2 Pro Football Focus grade, his highest since 2016.

Head coach Matt Rhule noted that Thompson “will” be ready for Carolina’s opener. Thompson has cleared 104 combined tackles in three straight seasons and should again be in the LB1 mix in IDP leagues. He’s coming off a 2021 where he finished with a 72.2 PFF grade, his highest since 2016.