The season has not even started and some of the best young talent in the NFL have already started to drop like flies. Recently, Jets Quarterback Geno Smith and cornerback Dee Milliner suffered injuries that could see them miss the start of the 2015 NFL season and Washington Redskins young tight end Niles Paul suffered an ankle injury that will sideline him for the entire season.
Now the injury bug has hit the Carolina Panthers and in a bad way. Young stud receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, has suffered a torn ACL after being carted off during Panthers practice earlier today. It was a non-contact injury and the Panthers worse fears have come true. Benjamin will miss the entire 2015 season.
Following from Ian Rappaport of NFL.com.
It’s a torn ACL for #Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 19, 2015
#Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin was primed for a big year, an emerging talent. Now out for the year with an ACL tear. Brutal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 19, 2015
Benjamin confirmed the news himself today to the media stating that he would miss the 2015 season. 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 for the sophomore receiver.
The Panthers will now have to find someone to step up and become their number once receiver while Benjamin is on the shelf. Beyond his numbers, it’ll be hard to replace Benjamin’s 6’5″, 250 pound frame.
