National Football League

Shaq Thompson focused on making up for missed time

Published Jun. 11, 2015 11:02 p.m. ET

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Linebacker Shaq Thompson is a bit behind in terms of the on-field work with the Carolina Panthers, as he was still at Washington finishing up his school year. According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo! Sports), Thompson is now focused on learning his playbook after wrapping up time his final exams.

"Carolina's first-round draft pick returned to practice this week after missing most of the team's first three weeks of voluntary practices while finishing up his classwork at the University of Washington." Reed explained.

Obviously missing that much time is never a good thing for any player, especially not a rookie, but Thompson seems to be a quick study.

Due to Washington being on a quarter system, he was still at school, and the NFL prohibits rookies from participating in practices until they've completed the spring semester, as Reed explains. Thompson is set to make an immediate impact for the Panthers, and pairing him up with both Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis could make for a scary three-headed monster.

(h/t Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports)

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chuck Burton