Kenneth Moore News

The Panthers' DeAngelo Williams - shown getting tackled by Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets - may not play Sunday.

Defensive end Julius Peppers saw an increased role on defense Sunday, returning to play in the team's base set after being relegated to mostly obvious pass rush situations the two previous games because of a so-called "messed-up hand." "It's getting better," said Peppers, who wouldn't discuss whether or not he broke a bone in his hand.

Just a few hours away from Panthers-Jets at Giants Stadium: -- The news late Saturday afternoon that Steve Smith has sore ribs and is questionable for today was a surprise.

The Panthers are fortunate that wide receiver Steve Smith and outside linebacker Na'il Diggs, both nursing sore ribs that made them questionable to play against the Jets, are active today.

Twice in a week Steve Smith has given the Carolina Panthers an injury scare, only Thursday's scare came hours before a game with the Miami Dolphins.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme grimaces after being injured in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov.

Here's the downside of playing for your hometown NFL team. If you want to hide, you can't. "This might be the worst moment of my life right now," Kenneth Moore said quietly in the aftermath of the Carolina Panthers' 20-9 loss to Buffalo.

CHARLOTTE - Can it get any worse for the Carolina Panthers? That would be the mystery awaiting some kind of revelation in the final 10 games of the 2009 season, and if that sounds grim, you should have seen Sunday's 20-9 loss against the Buffalo Bills.

JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com This affects comments on all stories. The Charlotte Observer welcomes your comments on news of the day.

The last time the Panthers saw Bucs running back Derrick Ward he was with the New York Giants last December,breaking off a51-yard runagainst them in overtime.That run led to theGiants' winning touchdown and their claiminghomefield advantage in the NFC playoffs over the Panthers.

Butler coach Mike Newsome chats with Carolina Panthers receiver Kenny Moore before Butler's game against Ardrey Kell on Friday.

Kenny Moore , a former Butler player and current Carolina Panthers receiver, talks to Butler junior Deion Walker during Friday's homecoming game.

So how heavy was the burden the Carolina Panthers carried into Sunday's home game against Washington? The answer certainly wasn't going to come last week, when the Panthers were focused on practice and trying not to concentrate on the fact that they had lost their first three games.

"You're either frustrated or you're not," he said. "We are." Washington's defense couldn't make a key play in the second half of a 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday as the Redskins squandered a 15-point lead.

Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart runs 8 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 9 minutes, 25 seconds left Sunday.

Only one Carolina Panthers player has caught a touchdown pass this season, and his name isn't Steve Smith.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy E. Williams is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, rear, following a reception by Williams in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept.

The Carolina Panthers' interior defensive line suffered another blow when tackle Louis Leonard broke his left ankle in a loss Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

The college football notebook ... BRISTOL, Conn. a ' The Southern California-Ohio State thriller is the most-viewed college football game ever on ESPN.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas I'm pretty sure John Fox was just being John Fox when he threw out Steve Smith's name as a possible punt returner Thursday.