CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Rookie wide receiver Drew Carter of the Carolina Panthers tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Wednesday, the third such injury of his career.

The injury came on the first day of the Panthers' minicamp.

Carter, a fifth-round draft pick from Ohio State, injured himself while running during Wednesday morning's practice. It was the second time Carter has torn his left ACL. He also had the same injury on his right knee.

The previous tear to Carter's left ACL happened in October before a game against Indiana. He had surgery and was sidelined for the remainder of his senior season.

He showed good progress in rehabilitation and was running well in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, which helped persuade the Panthers to spend a fifth-round pick on him. He participated in the team's rookie minicamp in late April.