SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Further evaluation in Charlotte revealed that Kelvin Benjamin's knee injury is severe. An MRI confirmed that the Panthers' top wide receiver tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and he will miss the entire 2015 season.
Benjamin suffered the non-contact injury during one-on-one drills Wednesday.
"Obviously, we feel awful for Kelvin," general manager Dave Gettleman said. "He's worked tremendously hard to put himself in a position to have a strong year. We're confident he will attack his surgery and rehab with the same determination he has met all challenges before."
Benjamin was one of the top performers throughout training camp, and he was poised to build on an impressive rookie season in which he set team rookie records for receptions (73), yards (1,008) and touchdowns (9). Now, Carolina's competitive wide receiver group must cope with the massive loss of its leader.
"He's a heck of a player," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "But the team has done a great job of creating competition in the room. This is one of those instances where that will benefit you."
