The Panthers announced they placed the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker on injured reserve Wednesday with knee and shoulder issues. Beason, 27, will have surgery next week to repair cartilage damage in his right knee and a torn labrum in his left shoulder.||||||| Beason has only played in five games since receiving a five-year, $51.5 million contract extension in 2011 that included $25 million in guaranteed money. He missed 15 games last year with a torn Achilles in his left leg. The Panthers claimed cornerback James Dockery off waivers from Cleveland to replace Beason on the 53-man roster. Dockery joined the Panthers at practice Wednesday.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera says star linebacker Jon Beason is back at practice but questionable for Sunday's game at Atlanta.||||||| The three-time Pro Bowl player sat out most of the week with shoulder and knee problems. He practiced on a limited basis Friday. Rivera says he'll see how Beason recovers from practice before deciding at game time if he'll suit up. If Beason can't play, Jason Phillips will start for Carolina (1-2).

Panthers coach Ron Rivera says wide receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Jon Beason are expected to play in the Sept. 9 regular season opener against Tampa Bay after returning to practice.||||||| Beason didn't participate in any of the preseason games after injuring his hamstring early in training camp.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera says Beason is not expected to play in Saturday night's preseason home opener against the Houston Texans after injuring his left hamstring.||||||| Beason tore his Achilles tendon last year in the same leg and missed 15 games. Rivera says Beason tweaked his hamstring on Wednesday, but did not initially think it was that bad. Rivera said Thursday "he tweaked it a little bit more than we anticipated." Beason did not practice Thursday.