Thompson (neck) is active for Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the Jaguars.
Thompson played through a neck injury in Week 17 before resting Week 18, and he has progressed enough in his recovery to be cleared to play in Sunday's playoff game. The veteran linebacker finished the regular season with 56 tackles (33 solo), including 1.0 sacks, two pass defenses and one forced fumble over 12 games.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Questionable, expected to play
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Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Thompson (neck) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Jaguars but is expected to play, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Thompson previously played through his neck injury in Week 17 before staying on the sideline in Week 18 to rest up for the playoffs. With middle linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) already ruled out to face Jacksonville, the presence of starters Matt Milano and Thompson will be especially crucial for Buffalo's defense.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Thompson (neck) is listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
Thompson was limited in advance of Buffalo's loss to the Eagles in Week 17 due to his neck injury, but he was cleared to suit up for that game without being assigned an official injury designation. The veteran linebacker was then among starters who rested Week 18. Barring any setbacks in practice Thursday and/or Friday, Thompson can be expected to gain clearance for Sunday's wild-card round matchup on the road against Jacksonville.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Modest first campaign in Buffalo
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Thompson tallied 56 tackles (33 solo), including 1.0 sacks, along with two defensed passes and a forced fumble over 12 regular-season contests in 2025-26.
Thompson missed four games due to injury and didn't play Week 18 against the Jets for rest purposes, but he still doubled the six contests he logged over the previous two seasons combined. The veteran linebacker had 10 tackles Week 6 against Atlanta and nine stops Week 13 versus Pittsburgh, but otherwise he finished with six or fewer tackles in his other 10 appearances. Thompson should remain a key part of Buffalo's defense in the postseason and will then become a free agent following the campaign.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Good for Week 17 after full practice
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Thompson (neck) has avoided an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Thompson was looking iffy for Sunday after being deemed a limited participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday. However, he was able to log a full practice Friday and is set to suit up versus Philadelphia. Thompson played just 11 defensive snaps against Cleveland this past Sunday due to the neck issue and wasn't able to take the field in the second half, but it turns out the injury won't sideline him further.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Limited in Wednesday's walkthrough
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Thompson (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.
Thompson sustained a neck injury during the first quarter of the Bills' Week 16 win over the Browns, which prevented him from returning to the game. His ability to practice in a limited capacity -- albeit in a walkthrough -- indicates the veteran linebacker is day-to-day. Thompson would likely need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Eagles.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Considered day-to-day
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Coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Thompson (neck) is considered day-to-day, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
Thompson was injured in the first quarter of Sunday's win over the Browns after playing a total of 12 snaps on defense and special teams. However, it sounds like he avoided a serious injury.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Exits game with neck injury
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Thompson (neck) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Browns.
Thompson sustained the injury during the first quarter, and he's being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Dorian Williams will likely step into a more prominent role on defense for as long as Thompson is out of the game.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Full practice at walkthrough
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Thompson (hamstring) was listed as a full participant on Monday's estimated practice report.
The Bills held a walkthrough Monday after beating the Bucs on Sunday, and the team is now on a short week ahead of Thursday night's date with the Texans. The 31-year-old veteran linebacker has been sidelined since Week 8.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Practices in full
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Thompson (hamstring) returned to full practice participation Thursday.
Thompson upgraded to full participation Thursday after being limited by a hamstring injury Wednesday, putting him on track to suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers. Thompson missed each of the Bills' last two games due to the hamstring injury, and he looks set to get back to playing a significant role in the Bills' linebacker corps.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Ruled out for Week 10
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Thompson (hamstring) won't play Sunday against the Dolphins, head coach Sean McDermott revealed Friday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
Thompson will miss a second consecutive game Sunday. His next chance to take the field will come in Week 11 against the Buccaneers.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Misses Wednesday's practice
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Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters that Thompson (hamstring) won't practice Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
Thompson was held out of the Bills' Week 9 win over the Chiefs due to a hamstring injury, so it's no surprise that he'll remain sidelined at Wednesday's practice. The 31-year-old likely needs to upgrade to at least a limited practice Thursday or Friday in order to play in the Week 10 contest against the Dolphins. If Thompson returns Sunday, he's expected to operate as the Bills' top reserve inside linebacker.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Downgrades to DNP on Thursday
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Thompson (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.
Thompson's trending in the wrong direction, as he was a limited participant Wednesday. If Thompson's unable to practice Friday, he would be unlikely to suit up Sunday against the Chiefs.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Leads Buffalo with 10 stops
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Thompson recorded 10 tackles (five solo) and one pass defense during the Bills' 24-14 loss to the Falcons on Monday.
Thompson made his first start of the season in the absence of Matt Milano (pectoral), and the former led both teams in tackles while playing a season-high 63 defensive snaps. Thompson figures to play a prominent role in the Bills' defense for as long as Milano is on the shelf.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Sits out again Wednesday
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Thompson (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.
Thompson also missed practice last Wednesday but was ultimately cleared to suit up for Buffalo's win over the Ravens in Week 1. The veteran linebacker is likely simply having his workload similarly managed heading into Sunday's game against the Jets. It's notable, though, that Thompson played exclusively on special-teams Week 1. Even once fully healthy, the 31-year-old may not see enough work on defense with the Bills to be included on the fantasy radar in IDP formats.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: In line to play Week 1
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Thompson (hamstring) is not listed on Buffalo's injury report Wednesday.
Thompson hurt his hamstring early in training camp and didn't play in any preseason contests. However, his ability to practice Wednesday suggests he should be good to go for Sunday's Week 1 matchup versus Baltimore. Thompson is slated to work in a depth role at linebacker for the Bills this season.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Back on the field
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Thompson (Achilles) is practicing for the Bills during training camp, Alex Brasky of Bills Digest reports.
Thompson missed all but four games with the Panthers in 2024 due to a torn Achilles, but he still landed a one-year deal with the Bills in June and appears ready to go for the 2025 season. The linebacker also played in only two games in 2023 after breaking his fibula. Before that, though, he had recorded 100 or more tackles in four consecutive seasons, and he might be able to play a role in Buffalo if he can stay on the field.
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Bills' Shaq Thompson: Bound for Buffalo
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The Bills signed Thompson (Achilles) to a one-year contract Tuesday.
Thompson sat out the majority of the 2024 season after tearing his Achilles, but that didn't deter Buffalo from bringing him aboard on a short-term deal. He has played in just six games over the past two years combined, and he just turned 31 in April, but he could still play a significant role on the Bills' defense in 2025 if he can manage to remain available.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Carted off field
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Thompson left Sunday's game against the Bengals due to a heel injury and is questionable to return, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Thompson is more likely to be doubtful after he was carted off the field to the locker room, per Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340. With Josey Jewell (hamstring) doubtful to return, Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace will be the primary inside linebackers for the rest of Sunday's game.
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Panthers' Shaq Thompson: Ready for 2024
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Thompson said Wednesday that he feels "amazing" after suffering a fractured ankle nine months ago, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
According to Person, Thompson said that he also underwent another surgery this offseason to address a groin issue that originated in 2020. The 30-year-old linebacker added that he expects to play five more seasons in the NFL and hopes to retire as a Panther, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Thompson seems to be in good health and spirits heading into 2024, when he should reclaim a large role as the team's defensive field general.
