CHARLOTTE – Cornerback Bene Benwikere fractured his left leg in the second half of Sunday's 38-0 victory over the Falcons.
Benwikere, typically Carolina's nickel corner, had started four consecutive games on the outside with Charles Tillman recovering from a knee injury.
Head coach Ron Rivera said Benwikere will "more than likely" be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
"We'll get an opportunity to visit with (general manager) Dave (Gettleman) and his staff and the coaches, but we are going to have to do something," Rivera said. "These next couple days are going to be very critical for where Peanut is, and it might influence our decision."
Benwikere has played in every game thus far and ranks second on the team with nine passes defensed.
"It's tough. Bene is becoming such a better player. He's such a key asset to us on this defense," safety Kurt Coleman said. "I'm praying for him, but I know what we have in this locker room. We've got guys that can step up and make plays down the stretch."
With Benwikere out, Tillman, Josh Norman, Cortland Finnegan and Teddy Williams are the remaining corners on the active roster. Safety Colin Jones, who has spent considerable time at nickel, suffered a groin injury during Sunday's game and did not return.
View game action photos from Carolina's 38-0 win over Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons' Robert Alford (23) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Atlanta Falcons players in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) breaks away from Atlanta Falcons' Grady Jarrett (97) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones (11) watches as a pass falls incomplete as Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Atlanta Falcons' Roddy White (84) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Cortland Finnegan (26) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones (11) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons' Kemal Ishmael (36) and Paul Worrilow (55) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman (24) fumbles the ball after being hit by Carolina Panthers' A.J. Klein (56) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. The Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Kony Ealy (94) celebrates after recovering an Atlanta Falcons fumble in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons' Jonathan Babineaux (95) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan, top, is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Kawann Short, bottom, in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs past Atlanta Falcons' Jonathan Babineaux (95) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan (2) walks off the field after a missed fourth down conversion against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Atlanta Falcons' Sean Renfree (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Kyle Love (93) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers players celebrate late in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. The Panthers won 38-0. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
