CHARLOTTE — Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson is a bit of a minimalist when it comes to talking, especially about himself.
So as he works his way back from an offseason knee surgery, he's not spending a lot of time discussing it.
"Had a little procedure that needed to happen," Thompson said simply on Wednesday. "It was a rough one for me last year; most of y'all don't know I was playing through a lot of pain; it was bone on bone.
"But I'm here now, around my teammates, and happy to be out there."
Thompson missed three games with a foot issue early in the year, but came back to have one of his best seasons and was second on the team in tackles, with a couple of interceptions.
Now, he's working back in slowly, taking a few reps each day and building up to the regular season opener. As he goes, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Thompson had pushed the margins a bit.
"He got reps yesterday; they wanted to give him four, I think they ended up giving him six or eight. Today I think he was supposed to get up to eight, and knowing Shaq, he probably stole up to 10," Rhule said with a grin. "He got run into yesterday; it was scary at first, a guy slid into him, but it was probably great for him that he has confidence.
"We have to be smart about how we re-introduce him, which is what we're doing, but I think Shaq's going to be just fine."
Thompson said he's mostly "knocking off some rust," and didn't offer any predictions about what his workload would be in the opener against the Browns on Sept. 11.
"Just really having confidence in my knee, honestly," he said. "Mentally, I've got that out of my head; now it's just physically it's just pushing off it and working on stuff that I need to, in order for me to keep going."
— Speaking of comebacks, wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. was back on the practice field Wednesday, having alternated days this week (he worked Monday but didn't on Tuesday). Marshall said he was "feeling good, ready to go," as he deals with a lingering hamstring strain.
"Doing the best I can to get out there on a consistent basis, and that's what I'm doing," he said.
The 2021 second-round pick played in 13 games last year, but only had three catches over the last 11 weeks after suffering a concussion in Week 6 against the Vikings. He has dealt with injury issues throughout his college career and last season (he was very limited in the offseason last year), but he said he's not allowing himself to get frustrated.
"No, sir, I just control what I can control," he said. "Injuries are part of the game, so my job is to do what I can to get back out there and keep it going."
Rhule said the hope was to play Marshall Friday night, and he was encouraged by some deep patterns he ran in practice.
— Marshall wasn't the only pass target back on the field Wednesday.
Wide receivers Robbie Anderson and Andre Roberts were back on the field, along with tight end Ian Thomas.
Thomas has been sidelined since taking a shot in the ribs in Spartanburg. Tight end Stephen Sullivan was back Wednesday after missing Tuesday for personal reasons.
— Rhule said most of the starters would play into the second quarter against the Bills Friday night, giving quarterback Baker Mayfield his most extended time on the field this preseason (Mayfield played one long series in Washington and didn't play at all against the Patriots after a week of joint practice).
Carolina is 2-6 all-time against Buffalo dating back to 1995.
Julius Peppers during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) eludes a tackle by Buffalo Bills' Troy Vincent (23) during the first half of the the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Buffalo Bills' Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Chris Draft (52) during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers' Chris Gamble (20) celebrates his interception with teammate Ricky Manning Jr. (24) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The interception sealed the Panthers' 13-9 win over the Bills. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers' Michael Gaines (84) celebrates his touchdown reception in the end zone during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) runs under pressure from Buffalo Bills' Eric King (29) and Jabari Greer (33) during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005.The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Buffalo Bills quarterback J. P. Losman is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Jordan Carstens (67) during the first half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Ricky Manning Jr. (24) and Chris Draft (52) in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. A year after producing 36 offensive touchdowns, the Bills have managed a mere 14 this season. Buffalo's offense ranks 30th overall. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Cam Newton during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Kelvin Benjamin catches a pass during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Mario Addison during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jonathan Stewart carries the football during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Buffalo Bills' Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) scrambles against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs as Buffalo Bills' George Wilson (37) and Drayton Florence (29) defend in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of Buffalo's 20-9 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Buffalo Bills' Jairus Byrd (31) returns an interception against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie (7) looks downfield as Carolina Panthers' Tim Morabito (90) closes in during the third quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998. (AP Photo/Alan Marler)
Buffalo Bills' Travis Henry (20) scores the game-winning touchdown over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers Star Lotulelei (98) grabs Buffalo Bills C.J. Spiller (28) while fending off a block from Colin Brown (74) during a 24-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Nickell Robey (37) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Buffalo Bills' C J Spiller (28) jumps over Carolina Panthers' Mike Mitchell (21) as Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) closes during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Carolina Panthers receiver Ted Ginn Jr. celebrates a second half touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel passes against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs against Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Arthur Moats (52) after a pass reception in the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) begins a play against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Curtis Samuel has a pass broken up by the defense during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Julius Peppers during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Luke Kuechly makes a tackle during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Cam Newton rushes during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
