Smith’s chances not looking good for Sunday
by Steve Reed
Gazette Sports Reporter
CHARLOTTE — Steve Smith missed his third straight practice on Friday, a pretty good indication the All-Pro wide receiver will not play Sunday when the Carolina Panthers open the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rarely in the past has coach John Fox activated a player who has missed the entire week of practice leading up to a game.
Smith injured his right hamstring Tuesday and continues to receive intense medical treatment.
If Smith can’t go, Keary Colbert or Drew Carter would start in his place and Keyshawn Johnson would likely become quarterback Jake Delhomme’s top target.
Smith continues to be listed as questionable on the team’s injury report and Fox wasn’t about to give reporters any insight into whether or not the receiver will play Sunday, preferring instead to the keep the Falcons in the dark as much as possible. However, it would seem smart at this point if the Panthers held him out to make sure he doesn’t tear the hamstring and risk losing a significant amount of playing time this season.
Even if Smith did play, he’d be doing so with two bad hamstrings, which would leave some questions about his overall effectiveness. Smith led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in 2005, but has been plagued by hamstring problems throughout the preseason.
