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The Carolina Panthers have signed linebacker Kelvin Smith off their practice squad and placed linebacker Thomas Davis on season-ending injured reserve.

Smith's promotion Tuesday comes two days after Davis tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a loss to New Orleans.

Smith was drafted by Miami in the seventh round in 2007. He played in four games as a rookie before spending last season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Smith was waived early in training camp by the New York Giants, then signed by Carolina when Davis was sidelined with a knee injury.

The Panthers waived Smith in final cuts before signing him to the practice squad. He'll provide depth behind Landon Johnson, who is expected to replace Davis in the starting lineup.

VICK CAN KEEP BONUSES: A federal appeals court backed the judge who ruled against the NFL and let quarterback Michael Vick keep more than $16 million in roster bonuses from the Atlanta Falcons.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Judge David Doty's order saying Vick had already earned the bonuses before his dogfighting conviction, so the money wasn't subject to forfeiture.

STEELERS MUM ON JOHNSON: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn't saying if the team has any interest in Larry Johnson, the former Penn State running back who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Still, the Steelers' answer appears to be the same as it was in 2003: Johnson isn't in their plans.

Johnson, who has long wanted to play in Pittsburgh, was cut Monday after being suspended by Kansas City for the second time in a year. The Steelers have long stayed away from signing troubled players, and they appear to be set at running back with starter Rashard Mendenhall and backup Willie Parker.

"I don't discuss free agents," Tomlin said only a few hours after the Steelers returned from their 28-10 victory in Denver. "That opens Pandora's box. I tend to focus on the guys that are in our locker room."

NBC STANDS PAT: The Eagles-Bears matchup Nov. 22 will remain the Sunday night game even though NBC had the option of picking another contest.