RotoWorld reports that Panthers MLB Jon Beason had, "3 screws placed in his left heel for an injury described as more bone bruise than tendinitis. The normal recovery time is 3 weeks, ... conditioning will be a hurdle, as he hasn't run in 2 months".

This report fails to make it clear if this was done during his Achilles surgery this week, or in addition to it. I hope it's not a 2nd surgery. It sounds like Beason may miss the 1st game, and hopefully no more. This bad news could turnout to be good news for MLB/OLB Thomas Williams, improving his chances of winning a roster spot as the 7th LB, though he's still not a roster lock. The Panthers could decide to count DE Eric Norwood as the 7th LB, or carry 10 DB's rather than 9. Thomas Williams along with 6th round pick OLB Lawrence Wilson had no stats in the 3rd game, but 3rd year OLB Jason Williams (6-1, 246, 4.44-40) had 2 assisted tackles. Though Jason Williams has more raw talent than the other Williams, he's still recovering from last seasons torn ACL, 2 games after starting in place of Thomas Davis.

Editor's note: To clarify, Beason did not have achilles surgery as previously reported. The reports of tendonitis were innacurate and this was to relieve what Beason called a 'bone bruise'.