CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former Carolina Panthers wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl was skeptical in August when strength coach Joe Kenn warned that Kelvin Benjamin, who tore his left ACL during training camp in 2015, probably wouldn't get back to his rookie form until 2017.
He was even more skeptical after the first two games when the 28th pick of the 2014 draft had a combined 13 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
But as the year wore on, Benjamin's left knee became increasingly sore. He went through a five-game stretch with a combined 10 catches for 158 yards and one touchdown.