Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Jon Beason sprained the MCL in his left knee on Aug. 22 in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Dolphins. At the time, it was uncertain whether the injury would heal in time for the season opener between the Eagles and the Panthers on Sept. 13. With less than two weeks before the opening kickoff, Beason says that he'll "be ready."
"I think at this point, with my injury, I've just got to gear everything towards Philadelphia," Beason told Andrew Mason of Panthers.com.
Beason suffered a similar injury during his college career at the University of Miami. When Beason did his rehab then, the doctors put the leg in a cast to assist with the healing but in the process his range of motion and mobility were lost. The Panthers docs went in a different direction with his rehab this time. Needless to say, Beason is not in a cast.
"You keep your range of motion. That was the route we chose to take," he said.
In his first two NFL seasons, Beason had 319 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. His 160 tackles in his rookie season of 2007 was the highest single-season total in franchise history.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 2:28 p.m., September 2
