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Panthers Suspend Smith For 2 Games

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The Associated Press

Published: August 3, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Receiver Steve Smith was suspended two games by the Carolina Panthers after a training camp fight with cornerback Ken Lucas.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will continue to practice when training camp resumes Monday and will be allowed to participate in preseason games, Coach John Fox said Saturday.

Lucas, who left the practice field at Wofford College on Friday with ice over his left eye, has a broken nose, Fox said. Smith was kicked out of practice and sent back to Charlotte.

"What Smith did was wrong and we take very serious and he is being punished severely for it," Fox said.

The melee came after both players had taken off their helmets in a break for starters during a special teams drill. It was unclear what provoked the fight. While the two have routinely jawed at each other in practice since Lucas signed with Carolina in 2005, they've never come to blows in view of reporters.

The suspension will cost Smith more than $205,000, a fraction of his base salary. Fox also seemed to issue a stern warning toward Smith and his future actions.

"He is still ours and he will have conditions," Fox said. "He knows what those are and we will move forward."

Lucas, who was not suspended, did not practice Saturday at Fan Fest and is listed as day-to-day.

Report: Raiders' Walker Wanted To Retire

NAPA, Calif. - Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker reportedly told the team he wanted to retire and offered to return his $11 million signing bonus before being talked out of it by owner Al Davis.

ESPN, citing an unidentified source, reported that Walker told the team Thursday of his intentions to retire. Walker has been at practice the past two days and apparently has had a change of heart.

The Raiders had no immediate comment on the report and messages left with Walker and his agent were not immediately returned.

Walker's tenure with the Raiders got off to a rocky start after he signed a six-year, $55 million deal in March that included the $11 million signing bonus.

He was criticized by Coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape in offseason workouts and then was seriously injured in June during a robbery.

Walker was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying.

CHIEFS: Rookie defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey sprained his left knee during practice. Team officials said Dorsey will have an MRI to determine how bad the injury is.

PACKERS: Agreed to terms with running back Ryan Grant. Agent Alan Herman said Grant agreed to a four-year deal that could be worth up to $30 million. Grant will make $4.25 million this season.

GOODELL SPEAKS: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he hopes to have Brett Favre's standoff with the Packers resolved by Monday - even if he has to force the issue.

JETS: Chad Pennington's green team beat Kellen Clemens' white squad 10-7. Each threw a touchdown pass and had no turnovers.

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