Punt returns a puzzle for Panthers

Carolina Panthers coach John Fox wouldn't say who will return punts in Sunday's season opener against the Eagles, but said the candidates include two veterans who filled the role in the past but didn't get work there in the preseason - wide receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Chris Gamble.

The punt-returner spot has been troublesome for the Panthers 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 '08 training camp and was released.

Rookie cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and wide receiver Kenny Moore got looks in the preseason, but both had issues with either dropping punts or fumbling.

The Panthers wanted to sign Mark Jones, their '08 kickoff and punt returner, earlier this week after he was released by Tennessee, but he failed a physical due to 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," Fox said.

Smith almost certainly is the best candidate on the roster, but using him in that role could be risky because of his value as one of the best wide receivers in the league.

Smith sounded willing but not overly enthusiastic about the possibility yesterday.

"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 chance 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 has returned punts only three times for 17 yards in the past 2 years.

* Strong safety Chris Harris missed yesterday's practice with a knee injury (not shin, as John Fox said Wednesday). Fox said Harris' knee was kicked.

* 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 the Eagles, 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."

* 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," Williams said 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."