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The Miami Dolphins will be facing the Carolina Panthers without their top pass rusher, defensive end Charles Johnson, during their contest on Sunday. Johnson has 8.5 sacks on the season, but suffered a knee injury during the Panthers win over the New England Patriots last week.
Johnson was leg-whipped by Patriots right tackle Marcus Cannon during the third quarter of their Monday Night Football game. Johnson laid on the field in obvious pain after the play, before walking to the sideline, where trainers evaluated him. He was then taken back to the locker room. He was able to return to the game, but clearly was not the same player.
Cannon was fined $15,750 for the leg-whip, though no penalty was called on the play.
Johnson was diagnosed earlier this week with a sprain of the MCL in his right knee. The injury is the same one Cameron Wake suffered earlier this year. Wake was forced to miss the Monday Night Football contest against the New Orleans Saints, then was limited to just three plays the following week, after suffering the injury.
Earlier today, Johnson was officially ruled out of Sundays game.