Panthers may be without Smith for preseason
The Carolina Panthers’ Super Bowl hopes for this season nearly went bye-bye when star receiver Steve Smith suffered what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury at practice on Monday.
Smith was carted to the locker room after he got tangled with cornerback Chris Gamble early in the evening workout, held without pads. Smith crumpled to the turf and grabbed his right arm after the collision in a passing drill. He took off his helmet and kicked it before walking to a nearby tent, favoring his right shoulder.
The team announced that X-ray results on Smith’s right shoulder were negative, revealing no structural damage. Team officials said they didn’t know the full nature of the injury or how long he might be out, but Smith’s agent said Smith would miss a minimum of two weeks with what appears to be a strained shoulder.
If that timetable holds, Smith would miss the team’s first two exhibitions, on the road against the New York Giants (Aug. 17) and Miami Dolphins (Aug. 22). And he might be held out of home exhibitions against Baltimore (Aug. 29) and Pittsburgh (Sept. 3).
“Steve has a high threshold of pain, and he’s in a lot of pain, so something’s off-kilter,” said coach John Fox.
Obviously if Smith just misses the postseason, this is no big deal – although that could affect your Panthers’ preseason bets on WagerWeb.com. But if Smith’s injury lingers, that is a huge deal. He had 78 catches for 1,421 yards and six touchdowns last season and is the top target of quarterback Jake Delhomme. Smith, who turned 30 earlier this year, is Carolina’s franchise leader with 51 touchdown catches.
If Smith were out, the team’s starters would be Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett, who are both taller, possession-type receivers and lack Smith’s dynamic speed and game-breaking ability. The top reserves are Ryne Robinson and Kenny Moore. Robinson has four career catches and Moore hasn’t played in an NFL game.
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