CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Plenty of attention was focused on Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict after he twisted the ankles of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen. However, another play involving Burfict could have a much bigger impact on the Panthers as they get ready to travel to Green Bay this week.

Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin sat out Wednesday’s practice with a concussion he apparently sustained while taking a hit from Burfict early in the second quarter of Sunday’s 37-37 tie.

There didn’t appear to be helmet-to-helmet contact on the play, but Burfict was penalized for hitting a defenseless receiver. Benjamin left the game briefly and returned after talking to Panthers’ trainers and doctors.

“He came in on Monday, and he had a little bit of a headache,” coach Ron Rivera said. “So they looked at him, and they feel he has a mild concussion, so they put him in the protocol, and we’ll go from there.”

When asked how his offense would look in Green Bay this Sunday if the 6-foot-5 Benjamin can’t play, Rivera replied, “Shorter.”

The Panthers’ offense can ill afford to be without the league’s top rookie wideout in a game with the Packers that likely will be a high-scoring affair.

Through six games, Benjamin has 31 receptions, and he leads all rookies with 416 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

If he does not play, receivers Brenton Bersin and Philly Brown will see more snaps. Backup quarterback Joe Webb also spent some time at Wednesday’s practice playing wideout.

“We feel good about the guys that are playing,” Rivera said. “We’re running the ball better, (Newton is) running the ball a little bit more now. We’ll have (running back) Jonathan (Stewart) back on the field, it looks like. So I think we’re going to be ok, whether (Benjamin is) out there or not.”

While Rivera is optimistic in his offense without Benjamin, Newton is still holding out hope his wideout and good friend will be able to play against the Packers.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll see him sooner rather than later,” Newton said.

On Monday, Olsen made a passionate but measured call for Burfict to be suspended for his ankle twisting.

The league fined Burfict $25,000 on Wednesday but did not suspend him. And while Olsen did not get what he wanted, he would not admit to being upset about the NFL’s decision.

“On Monday, I addressed how I felt about the whole thing,” Olsen said. “That was my reaction to what had gone on and what was pretty evident. Let the chips fall where they may and let people who are much higher up the ladder than me make the decisions. I’ve been on to Green Bay now for two days.”

NOTES: RB Jonathan Stewart, who missed the past three games due to a knee sprain, practiced in full Wednesday. … RB DeAngelo Williams appeared at practice Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a high ankle sprain against the Baltimore Ravens. He is still a couple of weeks away from being able to play. … RB Fozzy Whittaker, hampered by a quad injury, did not practice Wednesday. … Others who did not practice included G Amini Silatolu (calf), LB Chase Blackburn (knee) and cornerback Bene Benwikere (high ankle). … CB Josh Norman (concussion) was limited in practice.