CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Bengals and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, a league source confirmed to WCNC Charlotte's Nick Carboni.
Thompson left the fourth quarter of Sunday's 34-24 loss with what the Panthers called a heel injury. He did not return. Thompson was scheduled to have an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis.
The 2015 first-round pick was playing some of the best football of his career before the injury. The injury means Thompson's future in Carolina is uncertain, as he is set to become a free agent in March.
It's the second major injury for Thompson, who missed the majority of last season after breaking his fibula in Week 2. It comes one week after wide receiver Adam Thielen was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury he suffered in the team's win against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Thompson is one of only four Panthers to record four consecutive 100-tackle seasons, joining Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Jon Beason. Thompson ranks fourth in team history with 698 career tackles.
Carolina will hit the road in Week 5 for a matchup with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. It will be the second time the teams have met since the historic trade that saw the Panthers give up multiple draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.