Devils rallied past the Washington Capitals 5-4 Saturday night

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Panthers rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin missed his second straight day of practice Thursday with a concussion, raising concerns about his availability for Sundays game at Green Bay.Coach Ron Rivera said after practice the standout rookie is in the concussion protocol and will meet with independent doctors Friday to determine if hes ready to play against the Packers. Rivera said its unclear when hell make a decision on Benjamins status.If Benjamin cant play, Rivera said it would be a considerable loss for the offence in light of who he is for us.The first-round draft pick from Florida State has emerged as Carolinas best wide receiver. He leads all rookies with 416 yards receiving on 31 catches, including four touchdowns. Only tight end Greg Olsen has more receptions than Benjamin for the Panthers.Rivera earlier this week termed Benjamins concussion as mild after he took a shot to his helmet from Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the second quarter of Sundays game. The 6-foot-5-245-pound Benjamin passed his concussion test on the sideline and return to the game, finishing with seven catches for 49 yards and a touchdown.Rivera said Benjamin did very well when examined by independent doctors on Wednesday and then took the next step after meeting with the teams trainers on Thursday.Benjamin has been unavailable for comment this week.Well see how hes doing on Friday, Rivera said. Hopefully, he passes. If he does, great.If not, the Panthers could turn to Brenton Bersin to make his first NFL start.Rivera indicated Bersin, rookie Philly Brown and Jason Avant are all options. The Panthers are also considering activating quarterback Joe Webb as a fifth wide receiver. Webb began getting reps at wide receiver this week. He has played the position before with the Minnesota Vikings.Bersin has filled in for Benjamin this season when he needs a breather and caught a pass in each of the last five games.After spending two seasons on the practice squad, Bersin became only the second player from Wofford College to see action in the NFL. The other is Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.It would be a great opportunity, Bersin said. Im preparing like Im going to start. I know this offence in and out.The Panthers also have questions at running back again this week.DeAngelo Williams remains out with a high ankle sprain, but his primary backup Jonathan Stewart appears ready to roll after missing the last three games with a sprained knee. Stewart has practiced all week and Rivera said hes taken the next step in practice.Chris Ogbannayo and either Darrin Reaves or Fozzy Whittaker — if either is healthy enough to play after both sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday — will serve as the third-string back.The good news for the Panthers is their leading rusher, quarterback Cam Newton, is making plays again with his feet. The Panthers entered last weeks game ranked 31st in the league in rushing, but the injury-riddled Newton was finally given the green light to run and racked up 107 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown in a 37-37 tie with Cincinnati. He also threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns.Rivera said Newton is playing his best football since coming into the league despite dealing with rib and ankle injuries.This may have been that next big step that were all looking for him to take, Rivera said.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Taijuan Walker Diamondbacks Jersey . Seth Smith hit a towering drive for a tying homer leading off the eighth and Chris Denorfia singled home two runs to give the Padres a 3-1 victory against the rival Dodgers in baseballs North American opener Sunday night. Yasmany Tomas Jersey . The first baseman hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to lead the Mets to a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. http://www.diamondbackssale.com/diamondbacks-eduardo-escobar-jersey/ . Jagr had a goal and two assists, Andy Greene scored 43 seconds into overtime and Marek Zidlicky had two goals as the Devils rallied past the Washington Capitals 5-4 Saturday night. Archie Bradley Jersey . -- Rodney Stuckey scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks for the first time in eight meetings, 92-86 on Tuesday night. Ketel Marte Diamondbacks Jersey . Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane came up big when it counted, tallying two goals and an assist. He scored the game-winner with 4:45 remaining in the third period, stopping on the right hashmarks, carrying the puck up through the top of the Kings zone, then firing a wrist shot from the top of the circles past Jonathan Quick, who had his view obstructed by Andrew Shaw.Is this the end of the line for Vince Wilfork at Foxborough? According to NFL.coms Ian Rapoport, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle has asked that the team release him after 10 seasons in New England. The 32-year-old has spent his entire career with the Pats, earning five Pro Bowl selections.dddddddddddd He has won three AFC Championships, winning Super Bowl XXXIX with the Patriots. ' ' '