Carolina’s Kelvin Benjamin is a big receiver, playing as a rookie at 245 pounds. But when he showed up at Organized Team Activities weighing eight or nine pounds over that, it was cause for concern.
Benjamin was sidelined this week with a hamstring injury, and coach Ron Rivera said losing weight would alleviate the problem.
“It could be as simple as weight,” Rivera said, via the Charlotte Observer. “He did come in a little heavy and he had to work himself into shape. Or diet or something. We’re going to take a look at it and make sure it’s not a chronic issue with him. He’s too good a football player to have on the sideline.”
Rivera noted that Benjamin is a hard worker. That suggests that the problem is less about working out and more about too many big meals in the offseason. Cutting back on the food will now be even more important, as the hamstring strain will make it harder for Benjamin to burn calories with exercise.
“Kelvin works very hard at getting back on the field,” Rivera said. “He was in early this morning getting treatment, getting the things he needs to. He gets it and he understands it. He’s very important to what we want to do on the offensive side because he creates matchup problems.”
The Panthers think Benjamin will create more matchup problems if he’s playing below 250 pounds.