Thompson will have an MRI to confirm, but if the worst is confirmed, the Panthers’ star linebacker will be out for the season. Thompson has been solid this season for the Panthers, totaling 35 tackles and two TFLs in his four games. He saw his 203-game season limited to just two games after fracturing his fibula in Week 2, making this the second-straight season in which he’s suffered a season-ending injury in the first month of the campaign.

The veteran linebacker missed all but two games last year with an ankle injury, and it appears that he is dealing with another leg injury here. Thompson was able to walk off the field and into the blue medical tent, but they had to back the cart up right to the door of the tent to allow Thompson to get on. We’ll provide an update when we get more information, but it’s safe to say that he will not return to Week 4’s contest.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Panthers reduced Thompson’s base salary to $3.1 million while giving him $1.7 million in guaranteed money. The move clears roughly $3 million in cap space for the Panthers, who have just over . Thompson played in only two games for the Panthers last season due to a season-ending leg injury but should be ready to participate in offseason programs and training camp.