Panthers LB Shaq Thompson carted off with ankle injury - ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was carted off the field late in the first quarter of Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints with a right ankle injury.

He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Panthers initially announced Thompson was doubtful to return with a shin injury, then said after halftime he was out with an ankle injury.

Thompson, a senior member of the Carolina defense, was injured when Saints left tackle Trevor Penning was slung to the ground by defensive end DeShawn Williams. The full force of the 325-pound Penning landed on the back of Thompson's leg and ankle.

Carolina players kneeled while team physicians attended to Thompson, and gathered around him when he was loaded onto the cart. Thompson raised his right hand and index finger as he disappeared into the Bank of America Stadium tunnel.

Thompson led the team in tackles last season with 135. He was making the transition from outside linebacker to inside as Carolina transitioned from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme.