Thomas Davis is holding out hope he will play this season.

The Panthers' linebacker, attempting to come back from his second torn ACL in his right knee in seven months, believes he is on track to return this year.

"We're just hoping and wishing that everything keeps going the way that it is right now, and I should be back midway through the season," Davis said Thursday. "That's the goal, and right now we're on course to actually making that."

Davis re-injured his knee in June while backpedaling during a noncontact drill. The ensuing surgery came seven months after Davis first tore his ACL at New Orleans in November, ending what had been a Pro Bowl-type season.

Davis is on the physically unable to perform list, which requires him to miss the first six weeks of the season. The Panthers then have three weeks to decide whether Davis can play this season.

ACL tears generally are considered season-ending injuries. But Davis, 27, the Panthers' first-round pick in 2005, continues to rehab the knee and began running last week.

"I was able to go out and do the conditioning running with the team. I think a lot of people were surprised to see me out there doing that," Davis said. "It's just a credit to our trainers and how well of a job they've done. We understand that this is the second go-round and we're being a lot more cautious with it now."

Bittersweet homecoming

Receiver Dwayne Jarrett will turn 24 on Saturday, a day before playing in front of a group of friends and family members when the Panthers face the Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium. But Jarrett, who is from New Brunswick, N.J., said he would have mixed emotions about his birthday after the events of 9-11.

Jarrett was at his high school preparing for his 15th birthday celebration in 2001 when he learned about the terrorist attack on New York City. Jarrett's school closed early, and he remembers seeing smoke billowing from the Twin Towers from his hometown, about 35 miles from New York.

So while he's excited about being a part of the first game at the Giants' new stadium, Jarrett said he would keep his feelings in check.

"It's a great experience just going back home and being able to play in front of my hometown crowd. But at the same time, it's 9-11. You have to remember that," he said. "There's a lot of people that lost a lot of loved ones on that day."

Jarrett, who has 33 receptions in his first three NFL seasons, is vying with rookie Brandon LaFell for the No.2 receiver spot opposite Steve Smith. Though some fans have criticized Panthers' management for not signing another veteran receiver, Smith has seen an improved work ethic and approach from Jarrett.

"I think it's become a real job for him, and I think that's good for him," Smith said. "I think over time it will be good for the offense."

Making a name for himself

Playing behind Julius Peppers his first three seasons, Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson was a situational player who collected an average of five sacks the past two years. But with Peppers gone to Chicago, Johnson has moved into the starting lineup, where he'll have a chance to improve on his sack total - and name recognition.

"That's anybody. When people don't know you, you try to get your name out," Johnson said. "Everybody's out here hungry and trying to make plays."

Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks said Johnson has embraced the opportunity.

"I think that Charles Johnson has really picked it up. Now he's in a starting role, not a backup role, and he's taken his game to another level," Meeks said. "I think he really has taken on the responsibilities of being a starter now. And I think he prepared himself that way."

Opening act

Carolina will try to spoil the Giants debut at New Meadowlands Stadium after sending New York out of Giants Stadium on a losing note last December with a 41-9 pounding.

"Last year we went up, we were just determined. We had a mindset that we weren't going to go up there and lay down just because it was supposed to be their celebration," defensive end Everette Brown said. "We went up and played outstanding in all three phases. And that's what it's going to take this year."