SPARTANBURG, S.C. (MCT) — Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith's availability for the Carolina Panthers' preseason schedule is in question after he suffered a shoulder injury during a training camp practice Monday night at Wofford.
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.
However, Smith's agent, Derrick Fox, said late Monday night that Smith likely 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).
Smith also could be questionable for home exhibitions against Baltimore (Aug. 29) and Pittsburgh (Sept. 3).
Fox said Smith was considering having an MRI to provide more details about the injury .
"Steve has a high threshold of pain, and he's in a lot of pain, so something's off-kilter," said Fox.
Smith got tangled up with cornerback Chris Gamble during a drill. Smith fell on the shoulder, shouting in pain as he landed. He stayed down about five minutes while being attended to by assistant trainer Reggie Scott. Smith eventually walked to a nearby tent, kicking his helmet in frustration .
Smith was seen about an hour later walking into the team cafeteria with his shoulder in a sling.
In his absence, the top two receivers are Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett, who are both taller, possession-type receivers and lack Smith's game-breaking ability.
The top reserves behind Muhammad and Jarrett are Ryne Robinson and Kenny Moore. Robinson has four career catches and Moore hasn't played in an NFL game.
OFFENSE STUMPED (AP): With DeAngelo Williams (toe) sitting out practice and fellow running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles' tendon) held out of the first full-contact goal-line drills of the preseason, the defense stopped most plays short of the end zone Monday morning.
"I think we're doing some decent things," quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "I know it's very different defensively, going against our defense. This is something new."
Delhomme acknowledged the offense has been stumped at times by new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' aggressive system.
"They're really doing a good job of disguising coverages," Delhomme said. "That's great, that's awesome. I was able pick up something last week and they changed it this morning. Those are the little things you try to pick up. Any little thing you can do out there. But yeah, it's good, it's very healthy."
Williams has insisted his injury is not serious, but it left rookie Mike Goodson getting most of the work with the first team at running back. The Panthers are looking for a spot to play the speedy, versatile fourth-round pick.
"He's very talented, and he's getting a lot of reps with the ones, which is a good thing," Delhomme said. "We're using him a good bit. He's a guy I think can really help us this year."
EXTRA POINTS (AP): Coach John Fox said he was pleased with how the team responded after the first off day of camp. "I think they came back fresh," he said. "Right now we're in that mode where you've got to transfer the things from small drills, the techniques and fundamentals, to 11-on-11 football." ... RB DeCori Birmingham and LB Jeremy Leman got into a brief shoving match after Leman took Birmingham to the turf in a non-tackling drill. ... The Panthers avoided the brunt of the near-100-degree heat by practicing in the morning and evening. They have one workout today at 3:10 p.m. ... WR Muhsin Muhammad, who was promoted to the Panthers' union representative after long-snapper Jason Kyle wasn't re-signed, said he expected K John Kasay would become the alternate rep.
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