Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is giving $100,000 to help survivors of the movie-theater shooting in Colorado pay for their medical expenses.

Smith has no connection to the victims of the July 20 shooting that left 12 people dead and 58 injured – other than as a parent and husband.

“As a father and husband I cannot imagine the pain and suffering the victims are going through,” Smith said in a release Thursday. “My family’s hearts and prayers are extended to theirs, and I hope this contribution might assist in paying some of the medical bills that will help allow these families to move forward in this tragic circumstance.”

Smith’s donation will go to the city of Aurora, which will distribute it to families in need.

Several Broncos’ players have visited survivors at Denver-area hospitals, where they signed autographs and took pictures.

Derrick Fox, Smith’s agent, said Smith was moved to help after reading about families worried about the cost of their hospital bills.

“Hopefully this helps a little bit,” Smith said. “From one NFL city to another, God bless.”

Otah update: Offensive tackle Jeff Otah, who failed his initial physical with the New York Jets, will become the Panthers’ property again if he does not pass a physical by next week. The Panthers received a conditional, seventh-round pick in exchange for Otah, who has missed 31 of his last 35 games since injuring his left knee in December 2009.

The trade is contingent on Otah getting cleared medically.

Otah, 26, a former first-round pick, developed swelling around the knee in May after participating in the start of organized team activities. He underwent an MRI and visited renowned sports orthopedist James Andrews. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Andrews did not find anything structurally wrong with Otah’s knee.

The Panthers would have four options if Otah returns to them. They could cut him, trade him, keep him on the 90-man preseason roster or put him on the physically unable to perform list.

A league source said Otah drew interest from other teams before the Panthers dealt him to the Jets.

Roster move: The Panthers released running back Armond Smith, who was claimed off waivers from Cleveland in May. They are expected to sign linebacker David Nixon on Friday after Nixon takes a physical.

Nixon, 27, who has played with three teams in three seasons, participated in the Panthers’ rookie/tryout camp in May. He played in eight games last year with St. Louis, finishing with six tackles and two forced fumbles.

The Panthers will take 10 linebackers to training camp after ending last season with three linebackers on injured reserve – starters Jon Beason and Thomas Davis and backup Jason Phillips.