Shaq Thompson has quietly improved his play since being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Expected to be groomed as a replacement for long-time linebacker Thomas Davis, Thompson and Carolina will get a preview of life without the Panthers captain over the first four games this year.
Davis, penalized for a failed drug test this offeseason, is sidelined and can have no interaction with the team while serving his suspension. The Panthers legendary linebacker can’t even attend games by purchasing a ticket as any other fan would.