Panthers lose Kelvin Benjamin to torn ACL

An MRI has confirmed the worst fears of the Panthers after wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was carted off the practice field today.
Benjamin has torn his ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported and the Panthers have now confirmed. After a great rookie season, Benjamin will now have surgery and miss his second NFL season.
Benjamin made a cut on a pass route and crumpled to the ground without anyone touching him, immediately grabbing his knee. It didn’t look good, and although Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after practice that he was hoping it was just a sprain, that turned out not to be the case.
Last year Benjamin had 73 catches for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns, and the Panthers were hoping for at least that much production again this year. Instead, it’s back to the drawing board for the Panthers, who will have to hope someone can emerge as an effective No. 1 receiver while Benjamin sits out.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Michael David Smith
Photo: Charles Krupa, Associated Press

Panthers have limited options, if Benjamin can’t play

The Panthers and their fans are currently holding their breath regarding the question of whether receiver Kelvin Benjamin will be available to play in 2015 after a non-contact knee injury raises the obvious fear that he could be done for the year.
If Benjamin ends up missing any significant time, what will the Panthers’ options be?
They can go next man up, keeping a guy who otherwise would have been cut and hoping for the best. If they choose to bring in an established veteran, the biggest name on the market belongs to former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne.
The Panthers also could wait to see who gets released elsewhere, or who may be available via trade. Or maybe they could lure a guy like Randy Moss out of retirement. (It’s a long shot, but he has said he can still play; this would be his chance to prove it.)
Regardless of what they do, a drop off will exist from Benjamin to whoever takes his place, making it harder for the Panthers to get back to the postseason for a third straight year. So the best move at this point could be for the team and its fans to keep holding their breath pending the outcome of Benjamin’s MRI.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
Photo: Charles Krupa, Associated Press