Jon Beason Injury: Why Injured LB Could Be Huge Loss for Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason was carted off with an apparent ankle injury in the third quarter of their Sunday afternoon matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He will not return to the game.

The injury proves significant to a Panthers team that has struggled at defense. He went into today's game listed as questionable, as he's been battling an Achilles injury.

While this injury does not seem to be to the affected tendon, the fact that he was carted off does not bode well for the three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Since joining the Panthers in 2007, he has racked up 540 tackles (with only 121 last season when he voluntarily moved from middle linebacker to the outside to mitigate a number of injuries at that position), eight interceptions and four sacks—while never missing a start.

For his work, the Panthers awarded him a five-year, $50 million contract with $25 million guaranteed—the most money ever paid to a middle linebacker.

To say that Beason's loss is a major one for the Panthers is an understatement. He is the entire foundation of their defensive front, and he is their undisputed leader.

While Dan Connor is a workable solution at linebacker, should Beason miss significant time, to describe anyone on the Panthers' roster as an adequate replacement for Beason is impossible.

The rest of the Panthers defensemen will have to step up their respective games considerably in order to make up for what Beason's loss represents.

That, and getting their offense to a place where they can consistently make up for the defense's missing piece, are the only ways that the loss of Beason can in any way not sting so badly.