Carolina Panthers Linebacker, Shaq Thompson, Out for Season After Fractured Fibula Surgery

David NewtonSep 20, 2023, 2:09 PM ETLreading: 3 min.

The veteran linebacker was placed on injured reserve later Tuesday

CHARLOTTE — Los Angeles linebacker is expected to Carolina Panthers, Shaq Thompsonwill miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured fibula.

“It’s difficult to put it into words,” said the head coach of the Panthers, Frank Reich, when asked what he will miss most about not having the veteran leader. “We talk about brotherhood, he is just a close brother. He is a warrior. He is a guy who knows how to train, he knows how to play, he is a player who puts the team first.

“I was texting him last night. He’s talking about ways he can come back before he gets all the news.” [sobre requerir cirugía], trying to find a way to help the team. “These injuries really hurt.”

The Panthers will miss veteran leadership Shaq Thompson at the heart of their defense.Getty Images

Thompsonwho was placed on injured reserve later Tuesday, posted a message to his teammates and fans of the Panthers in social networks.

Replace to Thompsonwho led the team in tackles last season with 135, a week after losing his starting cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) for a prolonged period will not be easy.

Reich He said he and the general manager Scott Fitterer have discussed a plan, whether to replace Thompson with someone on staff or looking outside, and that all options are on the table.

The veteran Ye Grugier-Hill29 years old, replaced Thompson in Monday night’s 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saintsfinishing with six takedowns and one capture.

“He played very well,” he admitted. Reich. “I wasn’t surprised. I’ve worked with You previously. He has played some American football. I coached against him when he was a starting linebacker for HoustonSo I have a lot of respect for what he did. [el lunes] at night”.

Thompson was injured when the left tackle of the Saints, Trevor Penningwas slammed to the ground by the defensive end DeShawn Williams. The strength and weight of Penningweighing 325 pounds, landed on the back of the leg and ankle of Thompson.

Williams went to X.com, formerly Twitter, shortly after the press conference Reich after receiving criticism on social networks for the play.

“I mean the so called fans who think I would hurt someone on purpose is a joke,” he wrote. Williams. “I’m sickened by what happened. Not just my teammate, but someone who brought me to this team as family.”

As devastated as he looked Reich due to the situation of Thompsonhis immediate concern should be fixing an offense that has suffered during an 0-2 start with rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

He defended Young after the game, noting that the offense is close to clicking.

“I’ve seen this before,” he commented. Reich. “It’s not that far away. It looks bad, but I really don’t think it’s that far away. We make a couple of plays here and there, and the next thing we know we’re up to 28 or 30 points. I know we have the players and coaches to do it. I have “zero doubts about it.”

But, Young has suffered and ranks No. 27 in the NFL in Total QBR (35.5), No. 31 in passer rating (66.6) and No. 28 in completion percentage (59.2) after two games.

Reich He said it’s a matter of “staying in phase,” meaning staying ahead of the down and distance with the running game and short passing game.

“We have to get to manageable third attempts,” he proposed. Reich. “Get the run game going like we did in Week 1, and then stay in phase and we have to execute and not take steps backwards.”

In the future, starting with next Sunday’s game at Seattle, Reich You understand that you must replace a key part in Thompson.

“The train must continue its march,” he said. Reich. “You can love your brother and feel bad for your brother, and at the same time understand that you have to have a next-in-line-up mentality.”

2023-09-20 18:09:00
#Panthers #confirm #lose #Shaq #Thompson #year