Jul 24, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (80) makes a catch at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Panthers place LB Shaq Thompson on IR, rule out TE Ian Thomas, CB Dane Jackson

The Carolina Panthers on Saturday downgraded tight end Ian Thomas and cornerback Dane Jackson to out for Sunday’s game against the host Chicago Bears, and as expected placed linebacker Shaq Thompson on injured reserve.

Thompson, 30, sustained a season-ending torn Achilles in the loss last Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals and had surgery.

He recorded five tackles in that game to boost his total to 35 in four games (all starts) this season.

Thompson has totaled 752 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions in 123 career games (112 starts). He was selected by the Panthers with the 25th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Washington.

Both Jackson (hamstring) and Thomas (calf) were listed as questionable for Sunday against the Bears (2-2) after they returned to practice this week from injured reserve. They have begun a 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster or spend the rest of the season on IR.

Jackson, 27, signed with Carolina as a free agent in March. The Panthers on Aug. 27 placed him on injured, designated to return.

A seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2020 draft out of Pittsburgh, Jackson had 152 tackles, three interceptions, 28 passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 52 games (28 starts) over four seasons.

Thomas, 28, went on injured reserve on Sept. 7. Carolina selected him in the fourth round in 2018 out of Indiana. Thomas has 116 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 94 games (52 starts) through the 2023 campaign.

Also Saturday, the Panthers (1-3) activated outside linebacker Thomas Incoom and defensive lineman T.J. Smith from the practice squad for a game-day elevation.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (70) blocks Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Report: Panthers LB Shaq Thompson dealing with Achilles injury

Carolina Panthers star linebacker Shaq Thompson sustained what is believed to be a torn Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season, NFL Network reported Monday.

Per the report, Thompson will have an MRI on Monday to confirm the severity of the injury.

Thompson was able to walk off the field before being carted to the locker room during the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Thompson recorded five tackles in that game to boost his total to 35 in four games (all starts) this season.

He played in just two games last season before sustaining a broken fibula.

Thompson, 30, has totaled 752 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions in 123 career games (112 starts). He was selected by the Panthers with the 25th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) is carted to the locker room after an injury  during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson (leg) has surgery, likely out for ’23

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson sustained a fractured right fibula in Monday night’s loss to the New Orleans Saints and underwent surgery Tuesday morning, coach Frank Reich said.

“He’s doing well,” Reich told reporters Tuesday, post-surgery. “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 supporting us every way he can.”

The injury occurred before halftime Monday when Saints left tackle Trevor Penning was pushed aside and fell onto the back of Thompson’s ankle and leg. Thompson was carted off the field.

Thompson was replaced by Kamu Grugier-Hill, who had six tackles and a sack.

Thompson, 29, was the No. 25 overall pick by the Panthers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 119 games (108 starts) and tallied 717 tackles and 12 sacks. He’s added three interceptions, 26 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) gestures to the crowd prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers restructure LB Shaq Thompson’s contract

The Carolina Panthers restructured linebacker Shaq Thompson’s contract Monday to create a reported $5 million in salary cap space.

Carolina is now about $29 million under the cap, according to Over the Cap.

Thompson was due to count $18.1 million against the cap before the adjustment.

The 27-year-old registered 104 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions in 14 games (13 starts) last season.

He has 574 tackles, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three picks in 100 games (89 starts) since the Panthers made him a first-round draft pick (25th overall) in 2015.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) gestures to the crowd prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers’ Brian Burns, Shaq Thompson to play vs. Saints

Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns and linebacker Shaq Thompson have cleared COVID-19 protocol and are expected to play against the host New Orleans Saints, NFL Network reported Saturday.

They were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Burns, 23, has recorded 48 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 15 games this season. He also was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

Thompson, 27, has 91 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks in 12 games this season.

The Panthers (5-10) will look to snap a five-game losing skid on Sunday when they meet the Saints (7-8).

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;  Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) comes on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey doubtful vs. Eagles

Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey isn’t likely to return to action this weekend.

The Panthers (3-1) on Friday listed McCaffrey as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (1-3).

McCaffrey registered limited practices this week as he works his way back from a hamstring injury sustained during Carolina’s 24-9 victory over the Houston Texans on Sept. 23.

“Nothing much more to add,” Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said. “He’s been going. It’s doubtful he’ll play on Sunday. That could change. I’m not going to play any games (with the injury status).”

McCaffrey, 25, has 52 carries for 201 yards and a touchdown to go along with 16 receptions for 163 yards in three games this season. He played only three games in 2020 due to a high ankle sprain and a shoulder injury.

Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard rushed for 57 yards and added two catches for 14 yards in the Panthers’ 36-28 setback to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The team also listed linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot) and offensive tackle Cameron Erving (shoulder/neck) as out for the contest.

Thompson, 27, has recorded 25 tackles, one sack and one interception in four games this season.

Erving, 29, has started all four games this season and 51 of 79 career games in which he has competed with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Cowboys and Panthers.

–Field Level Media