Panthers WR Steve Smith makes surprise return to practice, 4 days after shoulder injury

Panthers’ Smith makes surprise return to practice

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith made a surprise return to practice Friday morning, four days after suffering a right shoulder injury.

Smith was dressed in full pads for the workout and began running drills with the other receivers after stretching. At one point he was waving both arms above his head while talking to a teammate, a welcome sight for a team that has little depth behind its four-time Pro Bowl selection.

Smith was injured Monday night when he hit the ground hard after a collision with cornerback Chris Gamble. Smith winced in pain, slammed his helmet to the ground and kicked it before being carted to the locker room.

Smith wore a sling on Tuesday and coach John Fox said he wasn’t sure if Smith would play in any preseason games. He was seen riding a stationary bike Wednesday and Thursday while the team practiced.

His absence left Dwayne Jarrett, who has 16 career catches in two seasons, working with the first team opposite Muhsin Muhammad. It wasn’t immediately clear if Smith, who led Carolina with 78 catches for 1,421 yards and six touchdowns last season, would dress for Monday’s preseason opener at the New York Giants.

Smith turned 30 earlier this year and indicated the day players reported to training camp that he was intent on becoming a team leader. Smith was suspended for the first two regular-season games last season for breaking then-teammate Ken Lucas’ nose in a training-camp fight.