Smith feared shoulder was initially broken

[panthers55]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/story/883040.html

When his shoulder hit the ground hard Monday night after his collision with cornerback Chris Gamble, Smith was deeply concerned.

“I thought it was broken,” he said.

But x-rays showed no fracture and no structural damage.

Smith's right arm was in a sling as he spoke to reporters just outside the Panthers' training camp cafeteria at Wofford.

He smiled, joked and didn't appear to be in any obvious pain. He was evasive about the specifics of his injury, saying he left his medical degree at the University of Utah.

“Believe it or not, I've still got a lot of games to play and I'm not going to give the opponent a bulls-eye or a target,” he said.

Maybe I am reading too much into this but comments like:

Said Smith when asked if he needed to play in an exhibition in order to be sharp for the regular season: “In my world, I probably don't believe I need to, but I just work here.”

Smith isn't regarded as the kind of player to try to get out of practice or playing unless there's a good reason.

“If I can play, then I'm playing, whether it be the preseason or the regular season,” said Smith.

“If I can't play, if I'm not going to be effective and able to compete, then it's not best for the team.

“I think you've got to be comfortable where you are and feel like you can help. If I'm a lame duck out there, the 11{+t}{+h} guy just out there, I don't think that's going to really benefit the team.”

It suggests that he may think it is more serious than the Panthers do or that he is concerned about coming back too soon. These comments don't jive with reports he is catching the ball on the sidelines and isn't wearing a sling. Or more likely, this interview was just after the injury and he has much less pain now.

I just hope this doesn't linger into the season.

[5158Poundin]

I am with you on this.

I think Smith will be fine provided he gets the rest and healing time he needs. Every time he takes a hard hit I catch my breath for a few minutes.

He's a small guy but he's a hard nut to crack. I think he'll be there....and hope also that it's not a nagging injury that revisits.