Panthers exercise LB Thompson's fifth-year option
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 24.
The Carolina Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on linebacker Shaq Thompson, the team announced Tuesday.
Thompson recorded a career-high 61 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles during 14 games last season.
The 24-year-old Washington product has aided a strong linebacker group that includes Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, who will serve a four-game suspension to begin the 2018 season for violating the league's policy for performance-enhancing drugs.
Thompson has collected 167 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries -- including one returned for a touchdown -- and one interception in 42 career games since being selected with the 25th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Panthers have exercised the fifth-year option every year since it was instituted in 2011. The players involved were: Cam Newton, Kuechly, Star Lotulelei, Kelvin Benjamin and now Thompson.
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