The Carolina Panthers are going to take a wait-and-see approach with linebacker Thomas Davis when it comes to placing the veteran on injured reserve.

Davis suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in practice on Wednesday, the second time in seven months he has suffered the injury. With no pressing need for a roster spot right now – or when the season first begins – the Panthers can take their time and see if perhaps Davis can make an expeditious return following a second surgery, according to Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer.

The chances of Davis being able to come back late in the season are remote, but right now they have time on their hands. Obviously, if a slew of injuries strike in the season, Carolina could ultimately be forced to make a move with Davis, who received a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. He can begin the season on the physically unable to perform list because he will fail a physical at the start of training camp.

Davis had made a fast recovery from the first ACL tear that happened in November. The injury is in the same knee and players that have undergone multiple ACL injuries on the same knee have told me in the past that the second time around is easier because of the work done in the first surgery. Whether or not that holds true for Davis, we’ll see. But hoping he can do anything before December might be unrealistic. Hoping he can do anything in December might be wishful thinking.

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