Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin will miss entire 2015 season with torn ACL

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin suffered a torn ACL at practice Wednesday and will miss the 2015 season.

"Obviously, we feel awful for Kelvin," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said. "He's worked tremendously hard to put himself in a position to have a strong year. We're confident he will attack his surgery and rehab with the same determination he has met all challenges before."

Benjamin was carted off the field after going down while running a pass route during the Panthers' morning practice.

"He's a heck of a player," teammate Jerricho Cotchery said. "But the team has done a great job of creating competition in the room. This is one of those instances where that will benefit you."

Benjamin is coming off a great rookie season in which he caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. The Florida State product led all rookies with 142 targets, according to Pro Football Focus, comprising a huge chunk of the Panthers' offense.

Quarterback Cam Newton will now have to rely on Cotchery, rookie Devin Funchess, and Corey Brown at receiver, while tight end Greg Olsen and the running game may be leaned on heavily in the red zone.