While their offense is humming with Andy Dalton leading the charge, Carolina's defense is bad and getting worse.

Shaq Thompson will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles tendon and fellow linebacker Josey Jewell will be out at least a couple of games with a hamstring/groin injury, creating more holes for a unit that can’t afford to lose any more key players.

A difficult season for the Carolina Panthers (1–3) has become even more challenging with the team's leading tackler and one of its captains now out for the year. Linebacker Shaq Thompson suffered a torn Achilles during Week 4's 34–24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shaq Thompson was carted to the locker room at the beginning of the fourth quarter of today's Carolina Panthers matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Thompson, a ten-year veteran, has been the heartbeat of the Panther defense for the majority of his impressive NFL career.

The Carolina Panthers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 34-24 in Week 4’s matchup on Sunday. After Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette’s epic horseback riding celebration, following the first touchdown of his career tied the game at 14,