Per multiple reports, Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin hurt his left knee at practice Wednesday morning and left the field on a cart. He reportedly put no weight on the leg as he was helped to the cart. We'll obviously be watching for updates on a pretty serious situation for the player, team and fantasy drafters. Benjamin would leave a lot of targets on the field if his injury proves serious.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin is ready for the start of training camp.  That wasn't a given at certain points this offseason, when he was overweight and sidelined by hamstring injuries.  “I'm looking to go full when we go into camp," Benjamin said. “I’m feeling good. I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited."  We'll continue to track the 2nd-year WR's health and conditioning, but don't consider it a concern for now.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera expects WR Kelvin Benjamin to be a full-go for the start of training camp.  It was a rough offseason for the 2nd-year receiver.  Benjamin reported to OTAs overweight and then dealt with injuries to both hamstrings.  He'll be worth keeping a close eye on in August.  After a 15th-place PPR finish as a rookie, Benjamin is being selected in the late 3rd round of drafts this summer.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin reported to OTAs 8-9 pounds overweight, according to insider Jonathan Jones.  He's since suffered injuries to both hamstrings that have kept him out of the majority of spring practices.  “He did come in a little heavy and he had to work himself into shape. Or diet or something," HC Ron Rivera said. "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.”  Benjamin is expected to be ready for the start of training camp next month, but we'll keep a close eye on his conditioning.  He's been the 16th WR off the board in recent MFL10 drafts -- a few spots higher than he sits in our rankings.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin suffered a strained hamstring last week. He’s not expected to participate in next week’s OTAs, but the team is just playing it safe. Early drafters can still feel comfortable taking him as a borderline WR1.

The Panthers traded up 16 spots to select WR Devin Funchess with the 41st pick of the draft.  This is a head-scratcher because Funchess is very similar to Kelvin Benjamin in playing style.  He's a big body at 6'4 and 232 pounds with a 38.5-inch vertical and can win 50-50 balls.  But Funchess doesn't play as physically as he should, displays very little burst and has inconsistent hands.  He totaled scored just 15 TDs in 3 college seasons.  The good news is that he has a clear path to a starting job opposite Benjamin in Carolina.  At worst, he should become a viable red-zone weapon.

The Panthers announced that QB Cam Newton suffered 2 transverse process fractures in his lower back in Tuesday's car accident.  It's the same injury Cowboys QB Tony Romo had earlier this season.  Romo ended up missing 1 game.  Carolina does still have an outside shot at a playoff berth, but we doubt they'll risk further injury to their franchise QB.  For now, consider Newton unlikely to play against the Bucs this weekend.  That'd leave QB Derek Anderson as the starter.  The 31-year-old actually started the season-opener against Tampa Bay, completing 24 of 34 passes for 230 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INTs.  WR Kelvin Benjamin posted a 6-92-1 line in that game, and TE Greg Olsen went 8-83-1.  Anderson shouldn't be in Week 15 fantasy lineups, but he's serviceable enough to keep the offense on track.  

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (concussion) is officially active for today’s game against the Packers. The rookie has scored in 4 of 6 games this season and should be in Week 7 lineups as a strong WR2.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (concussion) has been cleared to play against the Packers today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.  He put in a full practice on Friday, so we're not worried about the rookie being rusty.  Benjamin is a strong WR2 against a Packers secondary definitely without CB Sam Shields (knee) and possibly without CB Tramon Williams (ankle).

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin made the trip with his team to Green Bay for Sunday's game against the Packers.  We still haven't heard if the rookie has been cleared to play, but it sure looks like he has.  "All signs point to him playing," insider Joe Person tweeted Saturday.  We'll find out Benjamin's official status by noon ET on Sunday.  He'l be a solid WR2 play if active.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (concussion) is listed as questionable for Week 7.  He returned to practice on Friday but still hasn't received full clearance to play against the Packers this weekend.  The good news is that it's a 1 pm ET kickoff, so we'll know Benjamin's status by noon.  He'll be a solid WR2 if active.  If he's out, it'd leave Carolina with Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin at WR.  That'd certainly put a dent in QB Cam Newton's upside.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (concussion) returned to practice in full pads on Friday.  "I would bet he plays Sunday," beat writer Joe Person tweeted.  We'll see what Benjamin's official designation is on the injury report later this afternoon.  If the rookie plays, he'll have a plus matchup against a Packers defense that could be without CBs Sam Shields and Tramon Williams.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (concussion) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday.  He's looking less and less likely to get cleared in time for this weekend's game against the Packers.  Beat writer Jonathan Jones notes that Benjamin also suffered a concussion at Florida State last November.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin is in the concussion protocol, HC Ron Rivera revealed on Wednesday. It's the 1st we've heard of the head injury.  Benjamin took a few big shots in last week's tie but was still in there at the end of the game.  He's now iffy for this Sunday's game against the Packers, though.  We'll keep tabs on his progress over the next few days.  Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant would be Carolina's top 2 WRs if Benjamin is out.  It'd be a sizable hit to QB Cam Newton's Week 7 outlook.

ESPN's David Newton calls WR Kelvin Benjamin the "star of Panthers camp."  The rookie got off to a bit of a slow start, missing 5 days with a knee injury.  But he's been drawing rave reviews over the past couple weeks.  Newton says Carolina's #1 WR is "not a question leaving camp."  Benjamin looks like the heavy favorite to lead Panthers WRs in targets this season.  We'll bet on the 6'5, 240-pounder leading the way in TDs, too.  Benjamin continues to climb our WR Rankings.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin scored a 29-yard TD in the preseason opener on Friday night.  The rookie ran right by Bills #1 CB Stephon Gilmore and then went down to catch an underthrown ball in the end zone.  (Check out the play here.)  It was his only catch of the night, but Benjamin played in 1-WR sets with the 1st-team offense.  It's confirmation that he's locked into the starting lineup.  Benjamin's combination of talent and athleticism gives him big fantasy upside.  We don't usually like banking on rookie WRs, but Benjamin could be a weekly starter that you can get in the 10th or 11th round of your draft.

NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt attended Carolina's Tuesday practice and referred to rookie Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin as a "strong weapon."  He added, per ESPN.com, "You get a guy like this that goes up and catches the ball the way he does, there are not many [defensive backs] who are going to knock it down.''  Benjamin has generated consistent buzz since arriving in Carolina late in the 1st round. He figures to climb up fantasy football draft boards, though he still sits just 45th among WRs in ADP in My Fantasy League drafts since Aug. 1.  Benjamin makes for an intriguing WR4.

Panthers insider Tom Sorensen calls Kelvin Benjamin a "first class" WR.  The rookie has reportedly been tearing up training camp.  "He might have caught 15 passes" on Saturday, Sorensen writes.  "I’ve yet to find anybody that has seen Benjamin drop a pass in Spartanburg."  It sounds like the 1st-rounder has quickly emerged as one of QB Cam Newton's top targets.  Benjamin might be too inconsistent to rely on as a weekly fantasy starter this year, but he'll certainly have intriguing upside as a spot starter.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee) returned to practice on Saturday.  He ended up missing 5 days with the bone bruise.  The rookie remains a good bet to open the season in Carolina's starting lineup.  His 12-team ADP is sitting at 10.01.

Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin injured his knee when he banged it against a teammate's in practice on Sunday.  HC Ron Rivera revealed Monday afternoon that Benjamin is dealing with a bone bruise.  There's no structural damage, but there is some swelling.  Rivera expects Benjamin to be sidelined only "a matter of days."  It's clearly not a serious injury, but Benjamin needs to get back on the field to get in as many practice reps as possible.  He's still expected to open the season in Carolina's starting lineup.