Carolina Panthers lose another critical defensive component for remainder of season

While their offense is humming with Andy Dalton leading the charge, Carolina's defense is bad and getting worse.

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Shaq Thompson #7 of the Carolina Panthers is loaded on a cart after an injury during a football game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sep 18, 2023. / (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers' defense has suffered yet another devastating, season-ending injury to one of their key components. Three weeks ago today we learned that superstar defensive tackle Derrick Brown would be out for the rest of the 2024 campaign with a torn meniscus. Now we've just received word that off-ball linebacker Shaq Thompson is also done for the season after suffering torn Achilles tendon in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

This latest bad news for the Panthers' defense comes via a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, who broke the news just a few minutes ago on Twitter.

NFL Network on Shaq Thompson injury

#Panthers standout LB Shaq Thompson, who was playing his best football, is believed to have torn his Achilles and is out for the season, sources say. He’s having an MRI today.

Bad injury, bad timing. He was the center of their defense. pic.twitter.com/8Tiyh62r30

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2024

It's particularly unfortunate news for Thompson, who also suffered a season-ending injury early on in 2023. Thompson was also in the middle of a strong game, and he wound up posting the highest Pro Football Focus grade for Carolina's defense this week.

For now, Thompson's spot in the lineup will go to rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace who was a preseason standout. Wallace reportedly took over the defensive play-calling duties yesterday after Thompson was knocked out of the game.

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