Jon Beason back to 100 percent

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There’s been something that hasn’t been seen in quite some time during the past two years taking place at the Carolina Panthers’ minicamp the past couple of days.

Linebacker Jon Beason has been on the field and making lots of plays. Beason has been limited to five games over the past two seasons due to injuries. Beason missed 15 games with a torn Achilles tendon in 2011 and appeared in only four games last season before a knee and shoulder injury shut him down.

But coach Ron Rivera said Beason is 100 percent healthy.

“I think he is,’’ Rivera said. “They passed him on the physical, so I’m assuming he is 100 percent. He’s moving around like he is. He made some plays. You really see the energy coming back. You see the quickness.’’

With a healthy Beason, Carolina has a chance to have one of the NFL’s best linebacker corps. Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season and outside linebacker Thomas Davis has made a successful comeback from injury issues of his own.

Beason was one of the league’s better linebackers before his injury problems started and the Panthers think he can get back to that level.

“I think he’s really going to help us, just his presence and who he is as a football player,’’ Rivera said.


(espn.com)