SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith has made a surprise return to practice four days after suffering a right shoulder injury.
Smith ran on the field Friday morning for the workout in full pads. After stretching, he started running drills with the other receivers. At one point he was waving both arms above his head while talking to a teammate.
Smith was injured Monday night when he hit the ground hard after a collision with cornerback Chris Gamble. Smith wore a sling on Tuesday and coach John Fox said he wasn't sure if Smith would play in any preseason games.
The four-time Pro Bowl pick led Carolina with 78 catches for 1,421 yards and six touchdowns last season.
