Steve Smith appears to be close to returning for the Carolina Panthers when they open the NFL season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith has been battling a foot injury, but was reportedly back at practice on Tuesday according to SB nation's Cat Scratch Reader:
I'm reading between the lines here but I'm sure Smitty returning to practice just in time for game planning says he plans to play. Right now we all just happy to see him back in practice:
It was good to have Steve back. Right off the bat he went back to his normal practice mode – 100 percent, all the time," Rivera said. "So it was a lot of fun watching Steve back on the football field for sure."
Linebacker Jon Beason will also likely play as he has been limited by a hamstring injury. Beason estimates that his injury is at approximately 85 percent.
For the latest on all things Tampa Bay Bucs, check out Bucs Nation and join the discussion.