Linebacker Shaq Thompson to miss "extended time"

Darin Gantt

CHARLOTTE - For the second week in a row, the Panthers appear to have lost one of their key pieces on defense to a serious injury.

Linebacker and team captain Shaq Thompson left in the first quarter with what head coach Frank Reich called a "significant" ankle injury.

"Probably going to miss some extended time," Reich said. "But we need some further evaluation tomorrow with the doc."