For the second week in a row, Panthers linebacker Jon Beason got a mid-week practice off as coaches and trainers try to ease Beason back in following knee surgery last fall. Beason was off Thursday after going through the Panthers' installation practice Wednesday. Beason, who had microfracture surgery on his right knee last October, played 30 snaps in the Panthers' base defense last week against Seattle. "We decided to give him the rest," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "We wanted to make sure he got all the installation yesterday, so today we gave him the day off." Beason, who was in for nearly half of the defensive snaps against the Seahawks, said after the game his knee remains "a work in progress." He has said some players who undergo microfracture surgery have to manage pain in the knee the rest of their careers. Source: Charlotte Observer
