NFL: Panthers Notebook

Associated Press

The Panthers’ notebook ...

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith showed up to training camp on Wednesday without a cast, but not ready to play thanks to a bizarre offseason injury.

About five weeks after breaking his left forearm in a recreational flag football game, Smith was coy when asked when if he plans to play in a preseason game. He has already vowed to be ready for the regular-season opener.

“Right now, I’m just working on what toothpaste I’m going to get for Spartanburg,” said Smith, one of six players placed on the physically unable to perform list. “I’m not really focusing on any games. Let’s try practice first. Then from practice we’ll get on the plane, on the bus and all that stuff.”

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PUP LIST:

Running back Jonathan Stewart will begin training camp in his usual spot: off the field.

Stewart’s troublesome left ankle, which has caused him to miss numerous practices, was placed on the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday.

The list also includes linebacker Thomas Davis (knee), defensive tackle Louis Leonard (knee), right tackle Jeff Otah (knee) and guard Duke Robinson (conditioning).

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EDWARDS HOMECOMING:

Armanti Edwards will be one of the most-watched players in camp not just because the former Appalachian State star quarterback is moving to receiver and kick returner.

With the third-round pick’s hometown of Greenwood, S.C., just a 45-minute drive from Wofford College, a lot of friends and family members plan on attending the practices.

“Yes sir, I had a lot of people texting and calling, asking when is practice open so they can come,” Edwards said.

The only player in NCAA Division I history to throw for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 looked impressive in no-contact drills last month as he played receiver for the first time since high school. Edwards ran routes well and showed good hands as he adjusted to catching punts.

But now the speed picks up, there’s contact and everybody will be in pads.

“I got comfortable on the playing field,” Edwards said. “Just trying now to get more comfortable at a new position and being ready to catch a couple punts.”

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GUARD SHUFFLE:

If the coaching staff has decided on a front-runner for the vacant right guard job, they haven’t told Mackenzy Bernadeau, one of the candidates.

“Not yet,” Bernadeau said. “We’ve got some rotations in and see who looks good and what not and see where everyone fits.”

The spot is open after the Panthers decided not to re-sign veteran Keydrick Vincent. Bernadeau, entering his third season, started seven games at left guard last season after injuries on the line.

“The right guard spot is what I’m looking to do, what I want to do. If coach feels differently, that’s whatever it is,” Bernadeau said. “I’m just ready to compete and take care of business, but I want that spot.”

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EXTRA POINTS:

Fox indicated they would practice in full pads in the first workout Thursday. ... The Panthers practice twice on Thursday, at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. All workouts are free and open to the public. ... RB DeAngelo Williams, who rode a scooter around the Wofford campus in recent camps, showed up with a Segway.