Kelvin Benjamin has not looked like the same player since he suffered a torn ACL last year, but his struggles in 2016 may be just as much mental as they are physical.
Benjamin found himself on the bench late in the Carolina Panthers’ win over the San Diego Chargers Sunday, and that was not a coincidence. He caught just one pass for 11 yards on four targets and looked disinterested at times, even completely giving up on a play after Cam Newton threw an interception.
Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer described what he witnessed from Benjamin as “shoddy effort” on an interception and another near-turnover. Benjamin remained on the sideline for the final series of the game.
Benjamin made it clear that he was already down on his team about a month ago when he made these comments, and he is doing nothing to help. Even after their win on Sunday, the Panthers are 5-8 and are unlikely to make the playoffs. Whether it’s physical, mental or both, Benjamin is a big part of the problem.
