Steve Smith Injury Concerns

ESPN.com is running a fantasy football guide to wide receivers and tight end injury threats this season, and topping the list of injury prone wide receivers is Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers.  After missing the first part of the 2006 season with hamstring issues, Smith still posted good numbers - more than 1,000 yards rushing and eight touchdowns - but was not the Steve Smith of old.  For a receiver who relies on his speed and ability to achieve separation from his coverage, a hamstring injury can prove fatal to nearly an entire season.  When that player has very little support offensively from him team, as Smith does, then the results can go from bad to worse.

With veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson out of the picture in Carolina, Smith will begin the season lining up with perennial underachiever Keary Colbert as Carolina’s number two.  If Colbert once again does not work out, then he will most likely be replaced by rookie Dwayne Jarrett.  Jarrett, while packed full of upside, is still just a rookie, and rookie wide receivers rarely break out in their first year.  The Panthers will need Smith to stay healthy all year if they want to avoid another disappointing season in 2007.

You can get all your Carolina Panthers news at www.stubhub.com.