Panthers Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason has suffered a torn Achilles tendon, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.
The former Hurricane star will undergo surgery within the next few days, Person said.
Beason was injured while defending Cardinals tight end Jeff King in the third quarter of the Panthers’ 28-21 defeat on Sunday, with King scoring a 48-yard touchdown on the play. He registered four tackles on the afternoon.
Beason signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension that included $25 million in guarantees in late July. Last month, Beason underwent surgery to alleviate tendonitis in that same ankle and was listed as “Questionable” on the team’s injury reports last week.
2008 third-round pick Dan Connor had six tackles on Sunday and is expected to replace Beason in the starting lineup.