Kelvin Benjamin out for season after tearing ACL

Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin holds his left knee as he is carted off the field after tearing a knee ligament during a joint practice with the Dolphins during training camp.

By Associated Press

Aug. 19, 2015 10:57 PM PT

Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin suffered a torn ACL in his left knee Wednesday, an injury that the team announced will sideline him for the season.

The injury occurred during a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.

Benjamin was running a one-on-one route against Dolphins safety Reshad Jones when he made a cut toward the sideline and his knee buckled. He crashed to the ground and screamed in pain as he grabbed for the knee.

While wide receiver is considered one of Carolina’s deeper positions, it will be difficult to replace Benjamin.

To make matters worse, rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess also tweaked a hamstring and is expected to miss practice Thursday against the Dolphins. Earlier in training camp wide receiver Stephen Hill suffered a torn ACL at training camp and was later waived-injured.

It’s expected that Corey Brown and veteran Jerricho Cotchery would be the starters entering the team’s preseason game against Miami on Saturday night. The Panthers will count on wide receivers like Ted Ginn Jr., Brenton Bersin and Jarrett Boykin to step up and battle for more playing time.

A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press that for the second time in less than 10 months Miami Dolphins safety Louis Delmas tore the ACL in his right knee. . . . Denver Broncos defensive end Kenny Anunike will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery amid concerns he has suffered another serious injury.

The Buffalo Bills signed running back Cierre Wood. . . . The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receiver Michael Bennett. . . . The New York Jets signed quarterback Matt Flynn to serve as a backup. . . . The Pittsburgh Steelers waived injured linebacker Jordan Zumwalt.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Nebraska wide receiver and return specialist De’Mornay Pierson-El will be sidelined six to eight weeks after injuring a foot in practice.

Indiana State announced former Indiana safety Antonio Allen would transfer to the Sycamores even though he’s facing drug-dealing charges.

Illinois freshman running back Reggie Corbin will sit out the season after suffering a shoulder injury.