Kelvin Benjamin will miss entire 2015 season with torn ACL in left knee
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin will miss the season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee on Wednesday.
"Obviously, we feel awful for Kelvin," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. "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."
The injury occurred during Wednesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins when Benjamin made a routine cut during a one-on-one pass drill against safetyReshad Jones.
Benjamin was taken to Charlotte, North Carolina, for an MRI, which confirmed the tear.
The loss of Benjamin leaves Carolina without its No. 1 wide receiver. Benjamin, who is 6 feet 5, caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns during the 2014 season after Carolina selected him with the 28th pick of the draft.
The most likely candidate to replace Benjamin is rookie Devin Funchess, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound receiver selected in the second round out of Michigan in this year's draft.
Funchess suffered a hamstring injury late in Wednesday's practice and is unlikely to be available for Thursday's joint practice.
