Panthers Star, Jon Beason has Surgery
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Carolina Panther defensive captain, Jon Beason could miss the opening of the regular season, if not a more extended period of time. The star linebacker had surgery on Tuesday to help get over Achilles tendinitis. Beason has not practiced or played in any games this preseason while he has been dealing with the condition.
Though termed as a simple procedure by Panther Coach, Ron Rivera, any surgery around or involving the Achillies tendon is cause for concern. The injury could endanger Beason’s consecutive game streak. Beason has not missed a game in his four year NFL career, of which the last three has awarded him Pro Bowl recognition. Though Coach Rivera said Beason will be up and running in a week, his diagnosis seems overly optimistic considering that Beason is having trouble with the same tendon that can bring a 350 lb beheamoth lineman to his knees in less than a second.
Panther fans have every right to hold their breath. Beason is the heart and soul of not only Carolina’s linebacking corp and defense, but is arguably now the heart and soul of the entire Panther organization. If Beason cannot suit up for Carolina’s first game against Arizona on September 11, Dan Connor is expected to make the start in the middle.
The Achilles tendon was the downfall of an almost invincible ancient Greek warrior hero, which now bears his name. Panther fans hope the same tendon does not sideline their seemingly invincible linebacker.