Panther's WR Steve Smith: Injured
June 22nd 2010 23:05
Steve Smith injured during flag football game
Carolina Panther's Wideout Steve Smith broke his left forearm Sunday playing football... that's Flag Football. The four-time pro-bowler, who has a reputation around the league as a "tough-guy", will miss the rest of training camp, but should be ready for the season opener when they go to the New York Giants.
Just as Kelen Winslow, Ben Roethlisberger (fill in whoever you like), Steve Smith is another case of a player risking himself by doing something that could jeopardize their future, and in some cases, the fate of the team.
This is not a case where Smith will miss any games, however, this is a time when his team really needs him. They have a Quarterback that needs to get his timing down with basically their only reciever, since Muhsin Muhammad retired after not being resigned. This is a team that is, and probably will continue to struggle, so it was important that he be there to work with Matt Moore, and he is an important voice in the locker room.
According to Smith's agent, Derrick Fox, he said "They were messing around, the ball went over his head and he slipped he put his arm out to brace himself. When he did he felt a sharp pain. He went in [Sunday] afternoon to have an X-ray and it showed a break."
Smith had surgery Sunday night to have a small plate and screws inserted in his arm. Fox said while it's the same arm he broke at the end of last season, it's in a different spot and not his wrist. Smith suffered no nerve damage, is expected to make a full recovery and could return as soon as midway through the preseason.
"I'm not trying to play doctor, but I don't think he'll miss any games due to this injury," Fox told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Smith annually hosts a youth football camp in Charlotte which began Thursday, the day after the Panthers concluded voluntary spring workouts. Fox initially said Smith was injured playing with children at his camp, but later said he was unsure if he was playing with children or adults.
Standard NFL contracts bar playing football outside of team settings, but Fox said he didn't believe the Panthers would take action since he should be healed for the regular season.
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