Panthers moving on from veteran LB Shaq Thompson
February 24 - The Carolina Panthers will not re-sign veteran outside linebacker Shaq Thompson, allowing the former first-round draft pick to enter free agency.
"We appreciate Shaq's leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons, general manager Dan Morgan said in a statement Monday. "Always a source of passion and enthusiasm, he was committed to this organization on and off the field, poured into his teammates, and strived to bring out the best in them.
"We wish Shaq the best as he moves forward with his career."
Injuries limited Thompson, 30, to four games in 2024 (torn Achilles) and two games in 2023 (broken ankle).
He has recorded 752 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 123 games (112 starts) since Carolina drafted him with the 25th overall pick in 2015 out of Washington.
Thompson helped the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 during his rookie season and climbed to fourth place in team history in tackles, trailing Luke Kuechly (1,092), Thomas Davis (1,077) and Mike Minter (771).
Thompson, who turns 31 in April, told reporters in January that he hoped to end his career with Carolina.
"Be one of those guys in history that played with one team. But it's up to them," he said. "These two injuries ... it happens. All I can do is get better and come back strong."
Thompson played last season on a one-year, $3.1 million deal, per Spotrac. The five-time team captain tallied 35 tackles in four starts before injuring his Achilles in a Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
--Field Level Media
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery claims Jack Adams Award
June 7 - Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals was named the winner of the 2024-25 Jack Adams Award on Saturday. The honor is presented to the NHL coach who is judged to have made the biggest contribution to a team's success. While attending what he thought was a season-ending interview, the 43-year-old Carbery was presented with the award by his wife, Casey, and their children, Hudson and Vivian. . "Wow, I had no idea," a clearly stunned and choked-up Carbery said. If that weren't emotional enough for Carbery, extended family members from throughout the U.S. and Canada also were there to share in the moment. Carbery led the Capitals to a 51-22-9 (111 points) record this season as the team finished first in the Eastern Conference in his second season as Washington's coach. He becomes the fourth coach in franchise history to win the award, joining Bryan Murray (1983-84), Bruce Boudreau (2007-08) and Barry Trotz (2015-16). He is also the first person recognized as coach of the year in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. The members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association select the Jack Adams winner. Carbery received 81 first-place votes on the 103 ballots cast and finished with 464 points. Scott Arniel of the Winnipeg Jets had 249 points, followed by Martin St. Louis of the Montreal Canadiens with 66. The Capitals lost in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. --Field Level Media
South Wales Guardian
7 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Sam Thompson embraces sister as he ends 260-mile run and cycle for Soccer Aid
The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, embraced his sister, Louise Thompson, as well as her partner Ryan Libbey, and nephew Leo as he hopped over the finish line in Manchester on Friday morning. TV presenter Will Best spoke to Thompson live on ITV's This Morning and revealed that his Match Ball Mission has so far raised £1,516,433.22 for humanitarian aid organisation Unicef. A post shared by Sam Thompson (@samthompsonuk) Thompson said: 'I'm so grateful for everyone being here, I didn't think anyone was going to turn up. 'Thank you so much to everyone being here, everyone who has donated as well, I'll say it a million times, I'm made of glass, it's all the heroes who donate and stuff, you are so heroic.' The I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! winner faced a calf injury during the challenge and could be seen limping as he crossed the finish line. The TV star had travelled from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's Soccer Aid match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which is hosting the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Here he is! 5 days and over 260 miles on foot and bike! Over 1 million raised and so close to that finish line at Old Trafford ⚽️ Go on Sam!@itv @socceraid @samthompsonuk #MatchBallMission #Corrie — Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) June 6, 2025 Thompson's challenge saw him make pit stops at several football stadiums including MK Dons' Stadium MK, Aston Villa's Villa Park, and Everton's Goodison Park. His final day saw him travel through Huyton, Warrington, Sale, Stretford and the Coronation Street cobbles with friends, family and fans cheering him across the finish line. His experience is documented in a one-off programme titled Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission that will air on Friday June 13 at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. The money raised from the challenge will support Unicef's work, including providing clean water and nutrition, for children around the world.
Reuters
18 hours ago
- Reuters
Michael Soroka leads combined two-hitter as Nats beat Rangers
June 7 - Michael Soroka threw six scoreless innings and Alex Call homered to propel the Washington Nationals to a 2-0 victory over the visiting Texas Rangers on Friday. Soroka (3-3) allowed just two hits while striking out seven and walking one for the Nationals, who had dropped three of four games prior to the series opener. The Washington bullpen kept Texas hitless for the final three innings. Closer Kyle Finnegan retired the first two Rangers he faced in the ninth before Marcus Semien reached on CJ Abrams' fielding error. Finnegan got Jake Burger to pop out to end the game, securing his 18th save of the season. Patrick Corbin (3-5) -- a former Nationals pitcher -- threw an eight-inning complete game, allowing two earned runs on five hits, striking out two and walking none. Adolis Garcia and Josh Smith each tallied a hit for the Rangers, who dropped their fourth straight game. Washington struck first in the bottom of the second as Nathaniel Lowe and Call began the inning with singles before Robert Hassell III drove in the game's first run with a groundout. Garcia's two-out single in the top of the fifth marked the Rangers' first hit and only their second baserunner after Kyle Higashioka was hit by a pitch in the third. Corbin cruised through the bottom of the fifth with a five-pitch inning. Smith laced a one-out single in the sixth while Corey Seager worked a two-out walk, but Soroka escaped the jam by inducing Semien's flyout. Brad Lord relieved Soroka in the seventh, retiring Burger and Evan Carter on two pitches before getting Garcia to pop out to end the inning. Jose Ferrer added a perfect eighth. Call doubled Washington's lead in the seventh with a 407-foot solo shot -- his first of the year. --Field Level Media
