Smith, Beason back to practice
Share This Story
CHARLOTTE, NC (AP)
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said wide receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Jon Beason are expected to play in the team's Sept. 9 regular season opener against Tampa Bay after both returned to practice Sunday.
However, Rivera isn't sure about running back Jonathan Stewart, who remains out with a sprained ankle.
With Smith and Beason back, Stewart is the biggest concern as the Panthers enter the season opener. Although the Panthers have plenty of depth at running back, Stewart gives the team a big bruising back and someone to spell starter DeAngelo Williams.
''We'll see,'' Rivera said when asked if Stewart will be ready for the Bucs. ''We don't know until he gets out here and starts running around.''
Stewart spent Sunday running on the treadmill inside the stadium, Rivera said.
Smith missed the last two preseason games with what the team descried as a left foot infection. However, Rivera said Smith looked just fine in his first practice and didn't miss a beat in his first work in two weeks.
''Right away he went back into his normal practice mode, which is 100 percent,'' Rivera said. ''It was good to see him back on the football field for sure.''
Smith said he doesn't know what caused the infection.
Smith, the team's all-time leader in yards receiving and touchdowns, said the foot got infected underneath the skin. It began to swell and things snowballed from there.
''It's one of those things that happened and I'm not really sure why,'' Smith said. ''So I had to get meds and IVs. It was scary not being able to walk and having to get medicine every day. There was a little bit of nervousness.''
Smith said he didn't need surgery.
Beason didn't participate in any of the preseason games after injuring his hamstring early in training camp. He split reps in practice Sunday with Jason Phillips, who has been filling in at middle linebacker in his absence.
Beason said the biggest thing now is not pushing the hamstring too fast.
''Coaches are limiting me in practice, but all in all it was a great day,'' Beason said. ''As of today I feel good.''
WHO SETS THE CURVE?
Check out the FOXiest fans from stadiums across the country and tweet us your photo.Beason also missed the entire preseason last summer with tendinitis in the lower left leg and then went out and tore the Achilles in that same leg in the season opener against Arizona, thus ending his season.
He said he's not worried about something similar happening this year.
''It's a different injury,'' Beason said. ''When you deal with tendinitis you can only treat it and it goes away on its own. But as far as hamstrings are concerned it's more a strength thing. If there's too much fatigue that's where you begin to get into trouble.''
Smith and Beason were captains last year and are considered key cogs for the Panthers.
Smith has played in five Pro Bowls and Beason three.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Thousands finish Boston Marathon
On Saturday morning, about 3,000 runners and bombing victims gathered in light rain t... -
Long history of Tiger-Sergio squabble
The nearly 15-year squabble between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia has reached a new l... -
Tebow's name found in NCAA game
In an embarrassing blow to the NCAA, a gamer recently discovered that former Florida ... -
Umps miss call in bizarre fashion
Umpires miss yet another call, this one Friday night in a strange play at first base ... -
Is Katherine Webb engaged?
Perhaps Alabama QB AJ McCarron did, in fact, put a ring on it after his famous girlfr...
Trending Now
NFL Videos
RG3: 'I want to be ready for Week 1'
Posted: May 24, 2013
Robert Griffin III on rehabbing his injured knee and preparing to play Week 1.
Robert Griffin III on rehabbing his injured knee and preparing to play Week 1.
Billick and Jones: Players primed to perform
Posted: May 23, 2013
Brian Billick and Taylor Jones have young players primed for big seasons.
Brian Billick and Taylor Jones have young players primed for big seasons.
Horrow: SF gets Super Bowl, Miami shut out
Posted: May 23, 2013
Rick Horrow explains why the NFL went with San Francisco and Houston while South...
Rick Horrow explains why the NFL went with San Francisco and Houston while South...
NFL Headlines
-
Happy ending for Favre in sexting suit by massage therapists?
-
Retired Bears LB Urlacher: I wanted to play for Cowboys
-
Jailed WR ignores judge; family reportedly wants him locked up
-
Cowboys owner to Tony Romo: It's time to prepare like Peyton
-
Report: Cardinals rookie Mathieu enters NFL drug testing program
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/800466/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800466_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - |
| Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Steelers/browse/featuredproduct/800489/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800489_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/801102/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801102_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/825450/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825450_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue |
| Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/825465/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825465_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
| Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/830781/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830781_xl.jpg&w=100 | 94.95 | Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/845755/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_845000/ff_845755_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange |
| Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Jacksonville_Jaguars/browse/featuredproduct/851602/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851602_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal |
| New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/853845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green |
| New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/853852/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853852_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.