Carolina Panthers

Shaq Thompson '100 percent positive' he has no interest in playing RB

Published Aug. 20, 2015 1:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

Not only do the Carolina Panthers have options at running back after Jonathan Stewart in Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne and Jordan Todman, they may have a sleeper option.

How about rookie Shaq Thompson at running back?

Unfortunately, according to David Newton of ESPN, the linebacker has absolutely no interest in showing off his running back skills in 2015, or anytime in the near future.

“I’m positive,’’ Thompson told ESPN on Tuesday. “I’m 100 percent positive. We have Jonathan Stewart, Fozzy [Whittaker], Jordan [Todman], Cameron Artis-Payne ... the list goes down.’’

While Newton points out that Thompson played some running back at Washington, he made it known that he'd much prefer to lay the hits, not take them.

“I mean, it’s different to get hit,’’ he said. “I got hit a couple of times. I was, ‘Geez, I know what side I want to play.’’’

Pretty smart man, but hey, the Panthers are just glad to have a versatile player like Thompson. Expect the bulk of his plays to be made on the defensive side of the ball in 2015 though.

(h/t ESPN)