Panthers WR Benjamin says he's feeling 'like a new man' after scare, will play in preseason

Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) rides a stationary bicycle during an NFL football practice at their training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., Tuesday, July 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (The Associated Press)

Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin catches a ball during an NFL football practice at their training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., Sunday, July 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (The Associated Press)

Panthers rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin says he woke up Tuesday morning feeling "like a new man" and plans to play in preseason games.

Carolina's first-round draft pick gave the team a scare on Sunday when he injured his left knee during practice. However, an MRI Monday revealed Benjamin only has a bone bruise.

Benjamin sat out practice Tuesday.

He isn't sure when he'll return to practice, saying he'll follow the advice of the trainers.

Benjamin says he injured his left knee Sunday when it hit the ground while trying to make a catch. He says he's never had a knee injury and was relieved when the MRI revealed no structural damage.

Benjamin has been working with the starters during training camp.

He calls the injury a "minor setback."

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