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Carolina Panthers coach John Fox wouldn't say Thursday who will return punts in Sunday's season opener against Philadelphia, but said the candidates include two past returners who didn't get work there during the preseason – receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Chris Gamble.
The punt returner spot has been troublesome in the preseason. Ryne Robinson, who filled the role in 2007, didn't look the same this summer after suffering a knee injury in the 2008 training camp and was released.
Rookie cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and receiver Kenny Moore got looks during the preseason, but both had issues with dropping punts or fumbling.
The Panthers wanted to sign Mark Jones, their '08 kickoff and punt returner, this week after he was released by Tennessee, but he failed a physical because of an injured hamstring.
Munnerlyn said after Wednesday's practice that he expected to be the punt returner, but Fox was noncommittal.
“I prefer somebody in there who can execute the position,” he said.
Smith is the best candidate, but using him could be risky because of his value as one of the league's best receivers.
Smith sounded willing but not overly enthused about the possibility Thursday.
“It's my job to make plays, so whatever opportunities I get with the ball, my objective is to make plays,” he said.
Smith said he, like all players, prefers to avoid being in a situation that could enhance the risk of an injury.
“You've got a chance (of) getting hurt just stepping on the field,” he said.
“You hope you're not put in a position whether it's catching punts or running the ball or catching the ball or drop-back passing where you're put in a vulnerable position where you could be injured. You try to minimize that when you're on the field as much as possible.”
Smith returned 133 punts, including four for touchdowns, in his first three seasons (2001-03), but he has returned three for 17 yards in the past two years.
Notes
Strong safety Chris Harris missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury (not shin, as coach John Fox said on Wednesday). Fox said Harris' knee was kicked. David Scott
The Panthers have the second-toughest schedule in the NFL this season, based on last season's won-lost records. After Sunday's season opener against Philadelphia, things remain challenging with a game at Atlanta, then a Monday nighter at Dallas.
“I'm not thinking about the first three games,” said Fox. “I'm thinking about the first one, against the Philadelphia Eagles.” D.S.
Running back DeAngelo Williams is glad to have backfield mate Jonathan Stewart back.
“I'm probably the most excited about it than anybody in the locker room,” said Williams of Stewart, who missed most of training camp with a sore Achilles.
“I think he is (100 percent). But I'm no doctor though. He's out there on the field carrying the ball, taking it 20 or 30 yards or 4 or 5 yards. I think he's healthy. At this level, I heard somebody say, at first you're 100 percent, then you try to stay as close to 100 percent as possible.” D.S.
