Carolina Panthers

Report: Shaq Thompson may be back with Panthers earlier than expected

Published Jun. 10, 2015 1:03 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Carolina Panthers may have received some good news on Tuesday. While rookie Shaq Thompson was originally expected to return to the team for mandatory minicamp on June 12, he'll actually be back on the field Wednesday, according to Bill Voth of Black And Blue Review.

"LB Shaq Thompson, who has been finishing the quarter at the University of Washington, is scheduled to fly back to Charlotte Tuesday night. If all goes as planned, he’ll join his new teammates for the final two days of OTAs on Wednesday and Thursday." Voth explained.

It's obviously great news, especially because you always want to see rookies have as much time as possible to take in the new information that they're learning. With that said, Thompson has still been working, even while he's been at Washington, according to head coach Ron Rivera.

“I know (linebackers coach Al Holcolmb) has been sending him the stuff on the iPad and they conference call. Whatever they’re allowed to do. They’ll go through those things in installation ,” coach Ron Rivera told Black And Blue Review. “Shaq will call him at all hours of the day asking questions. The thing Shaq has to remember is when it’s 9 there; it’s midnight here.”

Have to appreciate the focus by the rookie linebacker.

(h/t Black And Blue Review)

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chuck Burton