Elevator

UP ... Panthers: On all fronts.

DOWN ... Redskins: Ditto, the other way.

UP ... “Stuff The Bus”: Pregame school donation program yielded about 2 tons of supplies.

UP ... Panthers rushing game: Dominated – just as coach John Fox wants.

Smith injured early but returns

As splendidly as a 47-3 exhibition victory turned out for the Carolina Panthers against the Washington Redskins at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, it looked for a short while as if it had gotten off to a lousy start.

On the game's first play from scrimmage, the Panthers' Steve Smith dove after a long pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme. Smith nearly made a one-handed grab – but instead fell on his right shoulder. He stayed on the ground for a few moments in obvious pain.

But Smith jumped up and jogged to the sideline. He was back in the game on the Panthers' next possession.

David Scott

By the numbers

5 Players who will be cut Tuesday when Panthers trim their roster to 75.

8 Yards on Smith's fumble recovery that went for a touchdown.

12 Yards on rookie Jonathan Stewart's first carry (and things got better from there).

30 Panthers' previous preseason points record (3 times)

110 Combined yards on Stewart and DeAngelo Williams' two first-half touchdown runs.

Observations

Receiver Dwayne Jarrett, whom the Panthers will need to help fill in when Smith serves his two-game suspension to open the regular season, gave coaches plenty to feel good about. Jarrett caught four passes for 40 yards – all of them against the Redskins' first-team defense.

The first quarter wasn't a great one for either team's offensive line. Carolina quarterback Delhomme was sacked twice and Washington's Jason Campbell went down three times. The third came when the Panthers' Julius Peppers pushed Washington tackle Chris Samuels (who is 6-foot-5, 314 pounds) into Campbell, who fumbled. Peppers also recovered the fumble and the Panthers were soon ahead 6-0 after a 28-yard field goal by John Kasay.

Notes

Redskins broadcaster and former star quarterback Sonny Jurgensen celebrated his 74th birthday before the game. Jurgensen, who is from Wilmington and played at Duke, got a chocolate cake out of it.

Inactive for the Panthers: Receivers Ryne Robinson, D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad and safety Chris Harris.

Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor, of “Dancing With The Stars” fame, left the game in the second quarter with a sprained right knee.

The six-time Pro Bowl pick, acquired in a trade with Miami last month, was hurt when his leg bent awkwardly after he ended up in the middle of the pile following Williams' 5-yard run.

Taylor immediately screamed in pain and was attended to for several minutes on the field. He walked off the field on his own, but put little pressure on his right leg.

A team spokesman said Taylor would not return.

Taylor, who has started 130 consecutive regular-season games, spent the previous 11 seasons in Miami. But he angered the Dolphins for appearing on the television show rather than working out with the team this offseason and was later dealt to the Redskins for two draft picks.

A moment of silence was observed before the game for late NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw, who died Thursday.

Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel, whose daughter Holly, 36, died Thursday of bone cancer, joined the team for Saturday's game.

Don Breaux, a former Panthers and Redskins assistant coach, was at the game – wearing Redskins colors. Breaux, who retired earlier this summer after spending the final four seasons of his career with Washington, lives in the Charlotte area.

A team spokesman said a private funeral was held for Holly Bugel on Friday in Arizona. Joe Bugel flew to Charlotte on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's private plane and arrived Saturday afternoon.

Coach Jim Zorn said football has served as a welcome outlet for Bugel. His daughter was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.