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Carolina Panthers linebacker and team captain Shaq Thompson will be out for the season after suffering a fractured fibula injury during Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
The incident occurred late in the first quarter of the game, which the Panthers eventually lost 20-17.
This is bad #Panthers starting LB Shaq Thompson gets carted off the field. pic.twitter.com/EwrdAacOGO
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 18, 2023
In a somber moment, Thompson was carted off the field as his fellow teammates kneeled in support. He raised his right hand and index finger as he entered the tunnel.
Panthers head coach Frank Reich confirmed the severity of Thompson’s injury, labeling it “significant.”, saying his 2023 season is over. Thompson underwent surgery to repair his injury.
Shaq Thompson, a stalwart on the Carolina defense, has been an integral part of the team since being selected as a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Throughout his tenure, Thompson played in 119 games, amassing 717 tackles, 12 sacks, 3 interceptions, 31 quarterback hits, and 52 tackles for a loss.