Outside linebacker Shaq Thompson of the Carolina Panthers is expected to miss the rest of the 2023 National Football League season after undergoing surgery on Tuesday to fix a broken fibula.

Thompson was injured in the 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday. When the Saints' left tackle Trevor Penning was slung to the ground by the Panthers' defensive end DeShawn Williams, his 147-kilogram body hit Thompson in the back of his leg and ankle with full force.

"It's hard to put that into words," the Panthers' head coach Frank Reich said. "We talk about a brotherhood – he is just a close brother. This is a warrior. This is a guy who knows how to practice, he knows how to play, he's a team-first player."

"Minor setback, Major comeback! Don't count me out! Real panthers fans, I love y'all and I love this city, I truly felt the love in that stadium! To my teammates, I love yall boys and y'all know I'll be here for y'all every step! #Keeppounding," Thompson posted on X on Tuesday.

Thompson led the Panthers in tackles (135) last season. He was replaced by Kamu Grugier-Hill in Monday's game. Grugier-Hill contributed six tackles and one sack.

"He played very well," Reich said. "It did not surprise me. I have worked with Kamu before. He's played some football. I coached against him when he was a starting linebacker for Houston, so I have a lot of respect for what he did [Monday] night."

Before Thompson's injury, the Panthers already lost starting cornerback Jaycee Horn to a hamstring problem in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 10. The team lost both of their first two games of the season while the 2023 NFL Draft first selection Bryce Young struggled to run offense. He passed 42-for-71 for 299 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also rushed 51 yards with five carries.

"I've seen this before," Reich said of Young. "It's not that far away. It looks bad, but really I don't believe that it's that far away. We make a couple of plays here or there and next thing you know you have 28, 30 points. I know we have the players and the coaches to do it. I have zero doubt about that."

The Panthers will visit Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, to play the Seattle Seahawks on September 24.