Carolina
Panthers

News: Poole sat out Thursday's OTAs with a hamstring injury, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Impact: If Poole wants any chance of seeing the field this season, he'll have to stay healthy and show the coaching staff he's worthy of touches. Otherwise, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will continue to dominate the touches out of the backfield.

News: Beason (Achilles) said he feels "great" but that the team is holding him out of OTAs to keep him healthy, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Impact: Head coach Ron Rivera said that he expects Beason to be ready for the start of training camp, which should give him plenty of time to re-take his role as the team's starting middle linebacker. Beason is a tackle machine and can be a solid IDP option when healthy.

News: Davis (knee) worked out during Thursday's OTAs wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Impact: Davis is attempting to return from his third torn ACL and will have plenty of competition to get back on the field. The Panthers have lots of talent on the depth chart at linebacker and Davis is simply trying to get through OTAs and training camp without getting hurt again.

News: Smith was claimed by the Panthers after being waived by the Browns, the Panthers' official site reports.
Impact: It's difficult to see where Smith fits into the running back rotation with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert and Tauren Poole ahead of him at this time. He could impress but in all likelihood, he'll be on the practice squad unless someone goes down with an injury.

News: Smith was released by the Browns on Monday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. Cleveland signed undrafted rookie running back Adonis Thomas out of Toledo to fill his spot after an impressive tryout at rookie minicamp.
Impact: Smith was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Union College last season. He spent most of his time on the practice squad, appearing in three games and registering two yards on three carries.

News: The Panthers have signed Harris to compete with rookie Brad Nortman. Harris signed a one-year deal.
Impact: The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Harris is an 11-year NFL veteran and played in 11 games with Jacksonville last season. He averaged 42.7 yards per punt. Since beginning his NFL career with Cincinnati in 2001, Harris has placed 239 of his 876 career punts inside the 20-yard line. He spent seven seasons with Detroit and remains the Lions' leader in punts (627) and punting yards (27,073).