In a significant blow to the team’s offense, star lineman James Thompson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a lingering shoulder issue, head coach Ryan Jenkins announced on Wednesday. Thompson’s leadership and communication skills will be sorely missed, as he has been a mainstay on the line for nearly a decade.
“It’s a huge loss for us, but we’re confident in the depth we’ve built on the roster,” Jenkins said. “James is an exceptional player and an even better teammate. We’ll miss his presence on the field, but we’re exploring ways to keep him involved with the team in a coaching capacity.”
Thompson’s injury forced him to exit last Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs after just one series. He was replaced by veteran lineman Alex Rodriguez, who signed with the team as a free agent in the offseason. Jenkins praised Rodriguez’s performance, saying, “Alex did a solid job stepping in on short notice. With more practice reps, we expect him to continue to improve.”
The team’s decision to shut down Thompson is unrelated to their plans for rookie quarterback Ethan Walker, Jenkins emphasized. Thompson had considered playing through the injury, a testament to his toughness and dedication to the team.
Meanwhile, Jenkins hinted at a potential change in the backfield, suggesting that backup running back Devin Martin could see increased playing time due to starter Justin Taylor’s struggles with ball security. “We can’t stress the importance of protecting the football and then not hold our players accountable,” Jenkins said. “Devin has earned more opportunities, and we’ll see how it shakes out in practice this week.”
Taylor, who has started all four games this season, has fumbled in each of the first four contests. Martin, on the other hand, has impressed in limited action, rushing for 142 yards on 25 carries and adding six receptions for 70 yards.
In other news, the team welcomed back wide receiver Julian Styles, linebacker Jake Lee, and safety/special teams ace Chris Davis to practice on Wednesday. The trio had been sidelined with injuries to start the season.
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