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Ryne Robinson fully participated in a Carolina Panthers' practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a knee injury almost two months ago.
Robinson, a kick returner and backup receiver, said he hopes to play Sunday against Atlanta, but is awaiting word on his status from coach John Fox and team trainers.
“I definitely feel ready and good to go,” he said. “Right now, working back into my game form is what we're trying to get to.”
Robinson injured his knee July31 during training camp in Spartanburg and said he never expected to be out this long.
In Robinson's absence, Jonathan Stewart has been returning kickoffs and Mark Jones has returned punts.
Wharton to wear knee braces
Left guard Travelle Wharton is planning to wear braces on both knees for the rest of the season.
“I'm double-bracing it from here on out,” he said. “The braces are comfortable after you start wearing them.”
Wharton returned to practice this week for the first time since injuring his knee in the season opener against San Diego. Barring any setbacks, he's expected to start Sunday.
Wharton said he was originally concerned that he might be seriously injured when a Chargers player landed on the back of his knee on a field-goal attempt. It brought back memories of the season-ending knee injury he suffered in the 2006 opener.
“In the first game of the year, when you've worked so hard to get into the football season (and) you feel a knee pain, it's like, ‘Ah, I hope it's not bad.' As time went on, it wasn't as serious as the one before, so that was a relief.”
Jarrett caught in
numbers crunch
Fox said receiver Dwayne Jarrett hasn't fallen out of favor despite being de-activated for last week's game in Minnesota. Instead, Fox said the Panthers merely had a numbers crunch because Steve Smith returned after a two-week suspension.
“One of them had to sit,” said Fox. “We elected last week that he was the guy. This week, it could be different.
“He's a guy who has done well, but at the end of the day, we had only four wideouts (activated).”
The receivers active against the Vikings were Smith, Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett and punt returner Jones. NFL teams have 53-man rosters, but can activate only 45 each game. Fox said the number of active receivers could vary.
“Each of these games takes on its only personality,” he said. “You have different matchups and you might do different things.”
Jarrett said he wasn't discouraged by the decision and remains hopeful of being a contributor to the team this season after having a disappointing rookie year.
“It was just one game,” he said. “I'm expecting hopefully I can get out there sooner than later and just help the team out any way I can, get out there and make my mark and have fun and be with the guys.”
Briefly
The only Panther who didn't practice Thursday was quarterback
Matt Moore, who's still recovering from a leg fracture. Defensive end
Julius Peppers (illness) and Stewart (foot) practiced on a limited basis, but are expected to play. Stewart said someone stepped on his foot, but that the injury isn't serious.
Panthers director of ticketing
Phil Youtsey said the Falcons returned 375 tickets for Sunday's game and that 750 tickets remain for the Oct.5 home game against Kansas City. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
