Jon

Beason

Beason’s foot was a little sore after practicing Wednesday, so the Panthers gave him a day of rest. Coach Ron Rivera still expects Beason to play Sunday against the Cardinals.

Two sources have told the Gaston Gazette’s Steve Reed that Beason’s Achilles’ tendon is torn, which jibes with a Sunday evening ProFootballTalk report that Beason had suffered a “serious” Achilles’ injury. The Panthers could announce as early as this afternoon that they’ve lost their star linebacker for the season.

He’ll undergo surgery on September 16. It’s the worst-case scenario for Carolina’s IDP stud, who has never missed a start since being the No. 25 overall pick of the 2007 draft. Beason had been dealing with Achilles’ soreness since May, however, and undoubtedly came back too quickly. The blame for that lies squarely on the Panthers for playing Beason just two weeks after what was supposedly a “minor” Achilles’ operation. Dan Connor will take Beason’s place at middle linebacker.

There is still no timetable for their full return to football activities. Coach Ron Rivera concedes the Panthers are “not sure” what they will get from Davis, attempting to become the first player in NFL history to come back from three ACL surgeries on the same knee.

“I think based on what I’ve seen, it’s just a matter of time before they’re 100 percent and on the football field,” Rivera said. Neither player has been medically cleared yet. Beason is penciled in as Carolina’s middle linebacker, while rookie Luke Kuechly will man the weak side. Rehabbing from his third right ACL tear, Davis is slated for a situational reserve role in 2012.

Jon Beason will stay in the middle for now, and Rotoworld draft analyst Josh Norris believes they’re Kuechly and Beason’s “best positions.” Though a sure tackler, Kuechly isn’t a thumper like Beason and should excel in more of a flow-to-the-action role. Thomas Davis will return as a backup only, for now. James Anderson remains entrenched as the starting strong-side linebacker.

Beason resumed working out in January, but is currently limited to “underwater running to treadmill work.” Despite the severity of his injury, Beason reportedly has “no contract uncertainty” after signing a six-year, $51.3 million deal last July that included $25M guaranteed. The Panthers are going to keep paying him.

Kuechly was drafted because he was the highest-rated player on Carolina’s board at No. 9. With WLB Thomas Davis (ACL surgery) and MLB Jon Beason (Achilles) coming back from major injuries, Kuechly’s position may be determined by need. Long term, SLB James Anderson shouldn’t rest easily. His contract numbers are high for a two-down linebacker.

The Observer concedes the two could be “flip-flopped” and that the decision could hinge on Beason’s agility after returning from a torn Achilles. The Panthers believe Kuechly, the NCAA record holder at 14.0 tackles per game, can play all three linebacker spots.

As will DT Ron Edwards (triceps). The only player officially listed as out is RE Charles Johnson, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Although Beason and Davis are “limited,” they should unofficially be expected to do extremely little. Neither player is guaranteed of being ready for Week 1.