Panthers Suddenly Lose Starter to Season-Ending Injury After Week 4

The Carolina Panthers suffered a loss on the scoreboard Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals and a loss on defense. On Monday, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that Panthers veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson suffered a torn Achilles in Carolina’s Week 4 defeat to the Bengals.

This is a huge loss for Carolina as Thompson is the second-longest Panther and is expected to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. With Frankie Luvu heading to Washington in free agency, Thompson again became Carolina’s best linebacker and one of the better players on defense.

The 30-year-old linebacker had 35 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit in the Panthers’ first four games this season.

As for Thompson, he’s seen his second straight season end due to a devastating injury. Last season, the veteran defender only played in two games before suffering a broken fibula.

Even though the veteran linebacker has been crushed by injury over the last two years, he’s been one of the more consistent defenders in Carolina over several years. 

Without Thompson on the field, the Panthers could give more snaps to second-year linebacker Claudin Cherelus and rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace. Cherelus had two total tackles in Week 4, while Wallace had one total tackle.

Since the Panthers spent a third-round pick on Wallace in the 2024 NFL Draft, it would not be a surprise to see him get an extended look the rest of the way.  Carolina will get ready to play the Chicago Bears in Week 6.

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