SPARTANBURG, S.C., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Carolina Panthers have lost defensive end Kavika Pittman for the 2004 season.
Pittman suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at practice Saturday and is headed to injured reserve.
"It was not really a huge contact drill. It just gave out on him," Coach John Fox said Monday.
Surgery will mean Pittman will miss a second straight season because of an ACL tear in the same knee.
"It is real disappointing. You feel bad for the guy," Fox said. "He worked very hard this off-season to get back (into football condition). It is something that he'll work through. All you can do is move forward."
"It's frustrating, but all I can do is get the surgery done and start rehabbing and get myself ready for next season, hopefully," Pittman told the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.
In his nine-year career, Pittman, 29, has played in 106 games and has 18 sacks.
