CHARLOTTE – Coach Ron Rivera says he isn’t sure if three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason will return to the starting lineup Oct. 6 when the Panthers visit the Arizona Cardinals.

Carolina (1-2) has a bye this week.

Rivera quietly changed up the starting lineup on Sunday, replacing Beason – who’s struggling to get back healthy following knee surgery last October – with veteran Chase Blackburn at weak side linebacker.

The move worked out well as the Panthers sacked Eli Manning seven times and forced three turnovers in a 38-0 rout of the New York Giants.

Beason only played one snap on defense.

While it’s hard to imagine Rivera making a change following a shutout, he left his options open saying “we’ll have to wait and see” who’ll start against Arizona.