Jon Beason to watch Friday

SPARTANBURG -- The last time Jon Beason played in his Miami hometown, he was in for a few snaps before he injured his knee in the first series of the NFL exhibition.

Beason might not even get in the game this week.

Beason, the Panthers middle linebacker who agreed to a five-year, $50 million contract extension on the eve of training camp, has yet to practice. He has been sidelined by tendinitis in his left Achilles, which has bothered him since May when he was training in Miami.

As much as Beason would like to play Friday against the Dolphins, the three-time Pro Bowler is being cautious so he doesn't miss games that count.

"We're just trying to rest it. You push it to the point where it said, 'Hey, I can't go anymore.' The pain becomes a factor," Beason said Monday at Wofford.

"When you do have time, you kind of want to take advantage of it. Once you get in the season, it'll be different. There'll be more of a sense of urgency - on their part and on my part.

"I just want to deal with it because it definitely could be something that lingers."

Beason has the Panthers' four highest single-season tackle totals - accomplished in his first four years since he was drafted in the first round (25th overall) out of Miami in 2007.

He came back from the preseason knee injury in 2009 to finish with a career-best 169 tackles.

While he understands the importance of not rushing back from an injury, he also is mindful about getting work in the new system of former Philadelphia defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.

"It's tough not being able to practice because getting familiar in this defense is going to be important, and obviously the conditioning part of it," Beason said.

"You train so hard in the offseason, and then you sit down for a little bit, it definitely sets you back. So the mental part and obviously the physical part - just being in condition - is going to be a huge test for me."

Beason planned to go through an extensive warm-up at practice Monday night and see how the foot feels today.

If it responds well, Beason said he might try to return this week with hopes of playing Friday at Sun Life Stadium, which is about 20 minutes from his offseason home.

"This is the second time I've had the opportunity to go home and play in front of friends and family. It was short-lived last time. I did my MCL on the first series," he said. "So now, here we are a few days out and I haven't even practiced, yet. It's unfortunate. But I definitely want to play."

The Panthers want him healthy, too. Beason is the captain of a defense that locked up its three starting linebackers with long-term deals and signed defensive end Charles Johnson to a six-year, $72 million deal.

Omar Gaither and Dan Connor have been getting most of the work at middle linebacker, where Beason returned midway through last season after beginning the year outside.

"Hopefully, he's getting close. I think it's hard to set a timetable on things and you take it day to day," general manager Marty Hurney said. "When guys are ready, they'll come back. That's how we do things. It's just when they're ready, it's hard to predict. But hopefully he's getting closer."

Beason will not have much time to visit with his family in Miami. The Panthers, like all NFL teams, keep to a tight schedule on the road.

"It's a business trip," he said. "We'll be in the hotel. We'll have bed check. We'll wake up. We'll have our meetings, chapel, pregame, play the game, get dressed and come right back."

It's the "play the game" part Beason is focused on - if not this week, sometime soon.

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(charlotteobserver.com)