The Carolina Panthers lost a key player to a major injury on Monday, when defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu suffered a torn achillies tendon.

The injury occurred just minutes into the Panthers' first training-camp practice session when Kemoeatu went down while running.

The loss of Kemoeatu is a severe blow to the Panthers, who were already thin at the defensive tackle position.

Kemoeatu will likely miss the entire 2009 season.