Panthers excited after preseason win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - This much is clear from Carolina's preseason opener: Steve Smith hasn't lost his speed, Kris Jenkins hasn't lost his edge and the Panthers can be a very good team if they stay healthy.

With the bulk of their lineup back on the field for the first time in almost a year, the Panthers got touchdowns from their first, second, third and fourth teams in a 28-10 preseason victory over the Washington Redskins on Saturday night.

It was Carolina's 10th consecutive preseason win, and gave the Panthers early hope of returning to the level they were playing at when they won the 2003 NFC championship. They never got the chance to defend that title, losing more than a dozen players to season-ending injuries while starting the year 1-7.

"I thought we were pretty special last year, then the injury bug hit," said Smith, who missed 15 games after breaking his leg in the season opener. "I think we could do some nice things (this year) and this game showed we're trying to work hard and build off where we left off last year."

Carolina rallied to a 6-2 finish last season behind a patchwork group of replacements.

The Panthers are on pace to have most of their stars back on the field by the time the regular season opens. Missing Saturday night was safety Mike Minter, cornerback Ken Lucas and receiver Keary Colbert, who are all listed as day-to-day with minor injuries.

Only running back Stephen Davis is uncertain. The Panthers are bringing him along slowly since his microfracture surgery on his knee last November. Davis set a franchise record with 1,444 yards rushing during Carolina's run to the Super Bowl, then played in just two games last season with knee problems.

"It's exciting to be out there, but we're missing a special guy, Stephen Davis," Smith said. "Once he gets back out there, we'll be complete."

For now, they'll settle for pretty close to complete.

Smith looked fully recovered against the Redskins, catching two passes for 18 yards and showing his speed was intact by returning one punt for 11 yards.

Jenkins, the anchor of Carolina's defensive line, helped the Panthers to a stingy first quarter in which they forced an interception on the fourth play of the game and harassed Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey.

After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Jenkins was thrilled to be back on the field.

"It kind of felt like my first year in the league again," he said. "Just the feeling of getting out there and being mad at somebody. It felt good."

The Panthers also got a brief look at running back DeShaun Foster and Rod Smart, both of whom were Davis' backups until their seasons ended with injury last year. Foster had four carries for 13 yards and Smart finished with a game-high 38 yards on five carries.

Carolina also learned that it has a legitimate replacement for receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who was released in a salary cap move and then signed with Chicago. Muhammad was Carolina's all-time leading receiver, and the Panthers have banked on Colbert to be the starter.

But with Colbert unable to play because of a hamstring injury, the start went to Rod Gardner, who Carolina received in a trade with the Redskins just days before training camp opened.

Gardner opened the Panthers' first offensive series with a 10-yard catch and closed the drive with a 21-yard touchdown reception. It was similar to Muhammad, who also wore No. 87 during his eight-year Carolina career.

"I like Rod, he's a very good asset to this team," Smith said. "When you're wearing 87, the guy before you was very productive. I expect the same, and as you can see, it's going to be the same with Rod."