A difficult season for the Carolina Panthers (1-3) has become even more challenging with the team’s leading tackler and one of its captains now out for the year.

Linebacker Shaq Thompson suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. The team confirmed the season-ending injury after Thompson underwent an MRI on Monday.

The 30-year-old Thompson suffered the injury on a non-contact play when he ran into pass coverage at the end of the third quarter. He was able to leave the field alone but was eventually carted to the locker room.

The 10-year veteran led the Panthers with 35 tackles this season, following up the 2022 season in which he recorded a career-high 135 tackles. With 741 tackles, he ranks fourth on Carolina’s all-time list in that category, behind only Luke Kuechly (1,092), Thomas Davis (1,077) and Mike Minter (771).

“Just sick for Shaq,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Monday, via The Athletic. “A guy who cares so much and plays with so much passion.”

Thompson was also limited by injury last year, playing in just two games after breaking his fibula in Week 2. Amid rumors that he might retire after this injury, Thompson wrote, “Ahah yeah right!” in an Instagram Story.

If Thompson continues his NFL career, it is uncertain whether it will be with the Panthers as he is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The Sacramento, Calif., was the Panthers’ first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft (No. 25 overall) out of Washington. He was one of two players remaining on the roster from Carolina’s 2015 team that finished the regular season 15-1 and advanced to Super Bowl 50, where it lost 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.

Thompson’s injury weakens the Panthers’ defense, which was already missing defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2024 season opener.