CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The hits just keep on coming for the Carolina Panthers.
On Thursday, the team announced that linebacker Shaq Thompson's season is over as he was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. It's been a particularly tough week for the Panthers, who lost at home to New Orleans Monday, then announced Graham Gano would be out the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
The bigger news, though, was the loss of Cam Newton for Sunday's home finale vs Atlanta. Taylor Heinicke will make his first start in Newton's place, and a source close to the situation told NBC Charlotte's Kelsey Riggs that Newton is likely to miss the regular season finale at New Orleans, too.
Thompson finished the season with 87 tackles and a forced fumble. He was a lead contributor during a four-game suspension to Thomas Davis. In those four games, he racked up 26 tackles and a sack.
