After talking to the media Sunday following the Panthers’ 19-13 win against the Atlanta Falcons, Shaq Thompson announced kicker Zane Gonzales’ arrival.
“Here he comes,” Thompson said, deeply standing in the doorway. “Four-for-four.” Thompson shifted sideways, allowing the 6 foot, 200 pound special teamer though.
Gonzalez laughed. Playing off his teammate’s zealousness following his perfect four-for-four kicking performance, which included a career-long 57-yard field goal. Gonzalez scored as many points on his own as Atlanta did.
Then Thompson was gone. Before introducing Gonzalez, Thompson reminded media not to request him for interviews this week. Half joking and part sincere, his authentic nature holds a room. His presence uplifted the Panthers’ locker room, too.
Thompson returned Sunday from a Week 4 foot injury. The team did not put him on injured reserve because he hoped to be back earlier than three weeks. He made the trip to New York and went through pregame warmups but ultimately needed more time.
Leading up to the Falcons game, Thompson said he felt ready. Then Sunday came and he proved he was. Thompson reinvigorated Carolina’s defense, stifling Matt Ryan and the Falcons on their home field.
He led all Panthers in tackles (10), intercepted Ryan in the second quarter as Atlanta neared the red zone and led a team celebration following cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s game-sealing pick.
“It was awesome to have Shaq back,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said. “Besides being a great player and impact player, I mean, obviously I saw the interception. A couple of times guys got out of their gaps and he ran down from the backside. He also does such a good job out there of running the show and keeping everyone into it.”
That’s a loaded quote, filled with high praise for Thompson. When defenders are out of their gaps, it exposes potential running lanes. Rhule said Thompson covered those by being an effective backside tackler. He also organizes his teammates pre-snap and keeps things in order.
Rhule acknowledged the obvious. Thompson made an astute play versus Ryan. Up four in the second quarter, the Falcons had a chance to at least add three points to their lead. Ryan dropped back from an empty formation facing second-and-8.
Ryan looked left at his three targets and locked on to tight end Hayden Hurst. Thompson decoded the route concept and ignored the boundary-side two-man action. Once Ryan’s hand came off the ball, Thompson pounced.
“We’ve been going over a lot of their routes. We called a call and then I was just reading Matt Ryan,” Thompson said after the game. “They ran a reverse dig and he didn’t see me in the window.”
Thompson returned it 10 yards, ending the Falcons’ scoring chance. Atlanta possessed the ball six more times and didn’t reach the red zone.
Ryan threw for 131 net yards, the lowest of his career. Thompson had help. The Panthers’ pass rush compressed pockets and Stephon Gilmore held rookie Kyle Pitts to two catches for 13 yards. But Thompson’s interception injected a sustainable swagger into Carolina.
It signaled their leader had returned. Most impressive, Thompson accomplished all this playing 35 of 53 total snaps (66%).
“When you have a guy like that out on the field with you, it permeates throughout the entire team, so Shaq’s a special, special leader,” Rhule said. When he speaks, people listen. And he also is an excellent player. Glad to have him out there. Hopefully, he comes out of the game well, and we can increase his role this week.”
All signs point to Thompson playing more Sunday against Mac Jones and the Patriots. He uplifted the entire team in Atlanta.
“It’s an understanding that Shaq is on the field. Shaq’s here in the locker room. He’s with us today,” safety Jeremy Chinn said. “It really brings the best out of everybody. He brings the best out of the defense and is another guy we trust out there.”
