November 14, 2010; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason (52) during the second half of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated Carolina Panthers 31-16.Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Just a few days after placing starting cornerback Chris Gamble on the injured reserve list, Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason is expected to face the same fate. Beason has been struggling with a knee injury all season after coming back from a torn Achilles suffered last year and he has acknowledged that surgery may be the best move for his future.

“I’ve been pretty banged up, it’s been week-to-week,” Beason told Mike Solarte of News 14 Carolina. “We decided ‘Hey let’s take another look at the knee, see what’s going on.’ Got the MRI yesterday, didn’t look good.

“Probably going to have to have surgery, and if I do that, going to end up on IR. Probably what we’re going to do moving forward, probably early next week. It’s part of the business, man. you can’t control injuries.”

With Beason out for the season, first-round pick Luke Kuechly will hold the middle linebacker spot and dictate the defensive play calls. It will be very valuable playing time for Kuechly and give him the experience necessary to develop into the player Carolina hopes he can become.

Unfortunately for Beason, the extended time for Kuechly could make him expendable in the Panthers’ eyes heading into next season.