By Mike Cranston
Associated Press
The Panthers notebook …
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ó Receiver and return man Ryne Robinson was on crutches as he went to the cafeteria for lunch Friday, a day after he injured his left knee in practice.
The team called it a sprain, and Robinson said it was not a season-ending injury.
While tackle Charles Spencer (knee) returned to practice Friday morning, safety Nate Salley (hip) joined a growing list of players sidelined.
Defensive tackles Damione Lewis (ankle), Maake Kemoeatu (shoulder), Ian Scott (knee) and Darwin Walker (concussion-like symptoms) remained out Friday. Linebacker Adam Seward (abdominal) and running back LaBrandon Toefield (shoulder) were also riding stationary bikes during practice.
Linebacker Thomas Davis was absent Friday to attend a funeral.
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PRACTICE PLAYER: Receiver Muhsin Muhammad doesn’t see much difference in Jake Delhomme’s arm following ligament-replacement surgery in his right elbow.
Muhammad does see a significant change in Delhomme’s performance in practice.
Delhomme last played with Muhammad in 2004. After spending four seasons in Chicago, Muhammad is back with Carolina after re-signing in the offseason. And he’s been amazed at how Delhomme has looked in two-a-day drills.
“I’ve noticed that Jake now is a practice player,” Muhammad said. “When I played with Jake in 2003-04 he was not a very good practice player. Now he’s a great practice player. He makes great plays in practice, where before he used to only make those great plays in the game.”
Delhomme has shown no effects from the reconstructive surgery, zipping balls around the field in practice. And unlike when Delhomme was breaking in as Carolina’s starter in Muhammad’s first stint with the team, those passes are hitting the target.
“He’s still an emotional guy,” Muhammad said. “But I think over the past few years he’s become a real polished practice player.”
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EXTRA POINTS: The Panthers signed undrafted rookie DT Michael Marquardt of Arizona State to help with the lack of depth at the position after numerous injuries. C Pat Ross was released. … With all the injuries and Delhomme, WR D.J. Hackett and RB Jonathan Stewart only practicing once a day as they recover from injuries, only 68 players were available for Friday’s night practice.