Kelvin Benjamin Injury: Updates on Panthers WR's Concussion and Return

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

The Panthers confirm Kevlin Benjamin is active for Week 7.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported the pregame expectation for Benjamin:

Updates from Saturday, Oct. 18

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer has an update on Benjamin:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 17

The Panthers official Twitter feed has an update on Benjamin's status for Sunday:

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer has the latest on Benjamin:

Black and Blue Review showed Benjamin in pads on Instagram:

Black and Blue Review also had video of Benjamin at practice:

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 16

David Newton of ESPN provides an update on Kelvin Benjamin's injury from head coach Ron Rivera:

"

He continues in the protocol,’’ coach Ron Rivera said. “He did very well with the independent [doctor on Wednesday], and then today he did the next step with our guys and seemed to be doing very well.

We’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow. Hopefully, he passes. If he does, great.

"

Steve Reed of The Associated Press reported on Benjamin's status for today's practice:

Original Text

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin missed Wednesday's practice leading up to Week 7 due to a concussion.

The Panthers' Twitter account had the news:

If he misses Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, the injury would put considerable pressure on quarterback Cam Newton and the team's patchwork wide receiver corps. It could also serve as a significant blow to the former Florida State standout's development.

Newton saw his top three wide receivers from 2013—Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn Jr.—depart during the offseason, leaving the door wide open for Benjamin to make his mark on the team.

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

The first-round pick didn't receive quite the same level of fanfare as fellow rookie wideouts Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans, but he made an immediate impact in training camp and preseason. Benjamin impressed team officials and media alike with his work ethic and hard-nosed playing style.

"I'm not unhappy," general manager Dave Gettleman told reporters in August. "Kelvin, he came prepared. He came in very good physical shape. You could see his energy is there every day. He's done everything we've asked him to do and he's getting better all the time."

NFL Network's Albert Breer noticed he wasn't afraid to mix it up with big names during the preseason:

The loss of Benjamin would take away one of Newton's biggest targets in the red zone, which could lead to a significant shift in strategy as the Panthers would be forced to work without the 6'5" target—and occasional decoy—on the outside.

It could be up to veteran wide receivers Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery to take on an enhanced role in the offense with Benjamin sidelined.

Newton suffered a hairline rib fracture during the preseason, so the team will be hoping the offense can continue to progress without the fourth-year quarterback scrambling more often and putting himself in harm's way.