The Carolina Panthers earned a trip to Super Bowl 50 despite missing top receiver Kelvin Benjamin because of a torn left ACL, but general manager Dave Gettleman shared some excellent news about the wideout’s condition.
According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, Gettleman said the 25-year-old will be ready before the 2016 NFL season begins.
“Kelvin has worked his fanny off. He really has taken the bull by the horns. Like any other young kid it took him a couple weeks to get over the woe-is-me stuff and understand it’s time to go. He’ll be doing some things this spring and he’ll be ready to go for training camp.”
First off — not that Gettleman is doing this — it’s silly to fault Benjamin for having a “woe-is-me” mindset for a couple weeks. The Florida State product was expected to have a stellar second season.
A joint practice with the Miami Dolphins ended his campaign before it officially began, however.
Person notes Gettleman said Benjamin started jogging in December and also has done some “light cutting” while working back from the surgery.
Carolina managed to overcome his injury for 18 games, but Super Bowl 50 exposed the thin unit. The Denver Broncos secondary basically locked up the Panthers receivers, and Cam Newton had little time to throw behind an offensive line Von Miller and Co. thoroughly dominated.
Perhaps the result would’ve been different if Benjamin had been on the field, but history cannot be changed.
Regardless, Carolina should have its No. 1 wideout available for 2016 alongside standout tight end Greg Olsen and a promising second-year receiver in Devin Funchess.
Benjamin reeled in 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. Though a handful of his scores came in garbage time, he and Olsen formed a dangerous combination. They should encounter few issues regaining that recognition next season, and Funchess should continue developing well.
The Panthers have never experienced a season with Newton performing at his 2015 level with a healthy Benjamin, Olsen and Funchess. Even better for Carolina, the NFL hasn’t had to defend it, either.