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With the season opener at San Diego only 12 days away, the Carolina Panthers are short on quality depth at receiver and might need to look elsewhere for a punt returner.
Jason Carter's season-ending knee injury, sustained in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 47-3 exhibition win against Washington, exacerbated both situations.
Carter, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, had been expected to make the team and possibly fill both needs. He was placed on injured reserve.
Already, the Panthers were without Ryne Robinson, a back-up receiver and the team's primary kickoff and punt returner, and D.J. Hackett, one of the top three receivers. Robinson has a knee injury and likely won't be available against the Chargers. Hackett, oft-injured when he played with Seattle, is expected back soon from a toe injury.
Further complicating the situation is star receiver Steve Smith's suspension for the first two games for punching cornerback Ken Lucas during training camp.
The Panthers hope Hackett will be ready to play against the Chargers. If so, he'll join Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett as the top receivers.
“We are definitely going to have to pick up the slack,” said Muhammad.
Muhammad, at 35, has had an outstanding preseason. Jarrett, coming off a disappointing rookie season, has been better than expected.
One of the reasons has been tutoring from Muhammad, who returned to the Panthers after spending the past three seasons with the Chicago Bears.
“I wasn't here (last year), so I don't know what Dwayne's history was,” said Muhammad. “I just know what I see now. We've been really pushing him hard to work, just work hard. That way you don't have to turn it on, or try to turn it on, in a game, because that's just what you do all the time.
“He's gained some confidence in his game, and that's one of the most important things at this level.”
A beneficiary of the injuries could be Travis Taylor, a former first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens who suddenly appears to have a valid chance to make the team and contribute until Smith returns.
Taylor, 29, has 312 catches and 22 touchdowns in 90 career starts.
However, he made only one reception last season, when he finished with the Panthers after previously playing for the Raiders and Rams.
Carter had been returning kickoffs and punts in Robinson's absence. Coach John Fox is now looking to first-round pick Jonathan Stewart, one of the team's top two running backs, as a kickoff returner. The punt returner options are less clear, but include cornerbacks Ricardo Colclough and Chris Gamble.
There appears a strong possibility the Panthers will try to add a punt returner, either through a trade or after other teams make final cuts Saturday.
“We'll pursue all options,” said Fox.
Carter was having the best game of an already-strong preseason when he tore his ACL on a 30-yard punt return against the Redskins.
“I'm disappointed for our football team, but I'm also disappointed for him,” Fox said. “He's a guy who was on our practice squad last year, worked his tail off all offseason and was really having a good camp (with) a strong possibility of making our football team.
“He's a guy that my heart goes out to because I know that's tough. But if he works like (that again), he'll be back next year.”
Charles Chandler: 704-358-5123.
