Posted by Will Brinson

Steve Smith did what he's done a million times in his career -- catch a short pass near the line of scrimmage and look to break open for big yards. Only this time as he cut towards the sideline, something funky happened, and Smith lay on the ground clutching his left leg.

Smith stayed on the turf for some time, holding his hamstring and his knee at different times.

Eventually, he was helped off the field and walked to the sidelines where he is being examined by the trainers (who, at some point appeared to be messing with his ankle).

The shorter version of that is that Smith has what appears to be a left leg injury and is questionable to return -- he was carted off to the locker room for further examination.

Posted by Will Brinson

Fiery Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was reportedly yelling and screaming at Jimmy Clausen following Carolina's meltdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, a loss fueled largely by Clausen repeatedly fumbling the ball, staring down receivers, and being unable to get Smith the rock.

Now, he claims that the reports that he was screaming at the rookie are silly and that the people reporting them are "jokes."

"It was said that I was just about to 'go off,' and I wasn't," Smith said after Wednesday's practice. "I thought it was interesting because here, I was obviously agitated and frustrated, but sometimes people think they know me better than I know myself. I think that's a joke, and I think the people that reported it are jokes."

Smith also added that Clausen did "as well as he could with the current situation" when asked about the rookie's debut.

And Clausen, for his part, also got the wide receiver's back when it came to discussing their sideline chatter against the Bengals.

"There really wasn't anything between me and Steve," Clausen said. "Like I told you after the game, it's just his competitiveness as a football player. He wants the ball. I think it's a good thing for your receivers to want the ball as much as they can get it."

Here's the order of events in Carolina with something like this: Steve Smith gets mad, Steve Smith does something aggressive in public, Steve Smith thinks people overreact about the thing he did when everyone sees it (note: we are right here in the scale of what Steve Smith does), teammate gets Steve Smith's back, Steve Smith finally realizes he did something a little wrong, Steve Smith apologizes.

Now, this situation is less serious since it's a rookie we're talking about, and Clausen doesn't really have much of a choice outside of playing along with whatever Smith wants; ignoring the only real receiving threat on the team as a young quarterback isn't precisely an intelligent move.

"I can't force anything," Clausen said. "I tried to force that one into him (Sunday), and it got intercepted. And that is what you get more times than making a completion. I have to be smart. Steve is a great player, and I want to get the ball to him as many times as I can, but I can't force it because it causes turnovers and interceptions."

And Smith might have a pretty good point about this being overblown; remember that there were rumors circulating early on during the offseason that Smith though Clausen was a "punk" and didn't particularly care for his attitude.

Whether that's true or not (Smith said it wasn't), it's going to remain the underlying stereotype for Clausen and Smith's relationship until they prove differently. Winning a game this season would probably help, too.

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Posted by Will Brinson

Steve Smith (the Carolina Panthers version) is one of the most quotable dudes in the NFL. Sometimes he makes people angry with his words -- sometimes he also cheeses them off with his actions, too! -- but for the most part, he's a hysterical dude.

An excellent example of that emerged today, when Smith told the Gaston Gazette 's Steve Reed that he "may have to wear something on [his arm] to keep it 'Chump proof.'"

That's a direct reference to Michael Johnson, the Giants' safety responsible for Smith's original arm-break last season; Smith believes that Johnson nailed him with a cheap shot, causing the break.

Of course, he could also be discussing himself, since he did break it a second time while playing flag football in the offseason ...

Either way, Smith escaped the PUP list and is apparently participating in drills with the Panthers on Monday. Preseason games aren't out of reach, but John Fox wasn't telling whether they were likely or not, so for now we'll leave them at unlikely, meaning Smith will probably make his debut in the Panthers' regular season opener.

Until further notice anyway.

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If you thought the Giants had no interest in perhaps bringing back WR Plaxico Burress – who is serving a two-year prison stint for gun possession but is scheduled to be released in the next couple weeks – think again.

New York general manager Jerry Reese told the New York Post the team will investigate it.

"He says his body feels great and is free of pain for the first time in years," a source who has visited Burress tells the Post’s George Willis. "He's in good shape and he has handled everything well."

It’s obviously unclear what Burress, who turns 33 later this month, possibly has left. But it wouldn’t be outlandish to suggest Burress could help the Giants WR corps. Steve Smith is the team’s No. 1 WR, and Hakeem Nicks (whose MRI today revealed that his knee would be OK) and Mario Manningham are decent enough. Other than that, it wouldn’t be impossible for Burress to have a chance to contribute.

UPDATE (3:30 p.m.): Pro Football Talk responds. One of Mike Florio's sources called the Post report "bogus" and that Burress might not be released in the next few weeks.

--Josh Katzowitz

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It sounds like Carolina WR Steve Smith – who’s sustained two broken arms in the past seven months – could be back in time for the team’s final preseason game.

According to the NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora , the Panthers are hopeful he can return in time for the Steelers exhibition game Sept 2. Even if he isn’t ready for that contest, the team, La Canfora writes, is confident Smith will be ready for the beginning of the regular season.

As you’ll recall , Smith broke his arm in June while diving for a pass in a flag football game.

--Josh Katzowitz

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Giants wide receiver Steve Smith is coming off one of the quietest record-setting seasons in recent memory. Smith led the NFC with a Giants franchise record 107 catches last season. He racked up 1,220 yards (third in the NFC) and seven touchdowns, dispelling the notion that he’s merely a soft-handed underneath slot receiver.

Now, according to the New York Post, Smith wants a new contract. He is set to make just $550,000 in the final year of his contract. However, he does not plan to hold out. The Collective Bargaining Agreement issues and uncapped year’s 30 percent rule are obstacles, though.

"I understand it's making it tough on both sides," Smith told The Post. "It's bad timing for me to be doing well in the National Football League."

--Andy Benoit

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