Panthers' Shaq Thompson Likely Out for Year After Surgery on Injury from Saints Loss

After being carted off the field in the first quarter of Monday's 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson could to miss the remainder of the season.

Head coach Frank Reich announced on Tuesday that Thompson had surgery to repair a fractured fibula and "will likely miss the rest of the season."

It wasn't immediately clear what the injury to Thompson was when it occurred. The Panthers initially announced he was doubtful to return with a shin injury. He was later downgraded to out with an ankle injury.

The play in which Thompson got injured came when Panthers defensive end DeShawn Williams threw Saints left tackle Trevor Penning to the ground. Thompson was in the area on the field and Penning's full weight landed on the back of his leg.

Thompson was on the ground for a few moments, with teammates around him, when the cart was brought onto the field. Kamu Grugier-Hill took over as one of Carolina's inside linebackers for the rest of the game, along with Frankie Luvu.

Reich didn't say if they would stick with Grugier-Hill in the lineup going forward. The 29-year-old was primarily playing on special teams this season, but he has plenty of experience on defense during his eight-year NFL career.

Grugier-Hill started a career-high 14 games in 2021 with the Houston Texans. He appeared in 15 games last season between the Texans and Arizona Cardinals.

Thompson has played on the outside and inside at linebacker for the Panthers during his NFL career. He recorded a career-high 135 combined tackles in 17 starts last season.

The 29-year-old had at least 100 combined tackles in each of the past four seasons. He finished third on the team with eight tackles for loss in 2022.

Carolina will look for its first win of the season on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. The Panthers won last year's meeting between these two teams, 30-24, by running for 223 yards.