With the injuries along the offensive line for the Panthers starting to pile up – Daryl Williams and Amini Silatolu participated on the side with trainers while Matt Kalil and Jeremiah Sirles were not present during the media portion of practice – it was nice for Carolina to get some good news Monday. That good news came in the form of a 6’7, 295 pound future first-ballot Hall of Famer as Julius Peppers participated in practice for the first time this offseason after undergoing successful shoulder surgery in February.
Peppers, who led the team with 11 sacks last season in just over 50% of the defensive snaps, is not expected to play in this week’s preseason matchup with the Steelers; Ron Rivera said the team is working him back slowly – yesterday he worked in individuals, today he worked with the team.
“To see him out there and to see his presence on the field, he’s been terrific,” Rivera said about the returning Peppers. “His rehab workouts and his workouts getting ready for yesterday and today – he’s been spectacular and today, it was a lot of fun to see him out there taking some reps. You see the guys gravitate towards him – it’s kind of neat to watch.”
Having a player like Peppers return to practice isn’t just helpful for the 17-year veteran, although getting some reps is always a positive – one of the main advantages to having someone like that on your team is the advice and recommendations he can give to his younger counterparts along the defensive line.
“He’s not just a vet, it’s Pep!” said fellow defensive end Bryan Cox, Jr. “Anytime you get a guy like that back, it’s good for the whole group.”
A returning former Tar Heel that may not make as many headlines is rookie linebacker Andre Smith, who had worked on the sidelines with trainers after suffering a hamstring injury in the first game of the preseason, but returned to practice today – Smith will be in heavy consideration to make the final 53-man roster, especially with Thomas Davis being suspended for the first four games.
“We need to see him play, we really do,” Rivera said. “Because we need to see what we have and potentially whether he fits or not. [Smith is] a very athletic, physical football player and now is an opportunity to really see him in action – so we’re excited to see him on the football field.”
Smith racked up 113 tackles in 2016, his only full season at UNC – he had 21 tackles and a 73-yard interception return in two games of his final season before suffering a season-ending injury; the 21-year old Smith was drafted 234th overall.
