Smith participated in individual drills, but was held out of team work and avoided contact. Still, the receiver appeared to be unaffected by the shoulder, waving his arms while talking to a teammate while stretching and even throwing hard spirals to teammate Kenneth Moore (FSY) at the end of the workout.

"I think he'll make it," coach John Fox said, smiling. "I think the early prognosis around the country was maybe not, but he'll be OK."

The four-time Pro Bowl selection was injured Monday night when he hit the ground hard after a collision with cornerback Chris Gamble (FSY). Smith winced in pain, slammed his helmet to the ground and kicked it before being carted to the locker room.

X-rays were negative, but Smith wore a sling on Tuesday, when Fox said he wasn't sure if Smith would play any preseason games. He was seen riding a stationary bike Wednesday and Thursday while the team practiced.

Smith, who led Carolina with 78 catches for 1,421 yards and six touchdowns last season, had his shoulder wrapped on Friday, but was dressed in full pads.

Fox, secretive about Smith's injury earlier in the week, acknowledged Friday it wasn't as serious as originally feared and said Smith may be able to play if it was the regular season. He said it was uncertain if Smith would suit up for Monday's preseason opener at the New York Giants.

His absence from team drills left Dwayne Jarrett (FSY), who has 16 career catches in two seasons, working with the first team opposite Muhsin Muhammad (FSY).

Smith turned 30 earlier this year and indicated the day players reported to training camp that he was intent on becoming a team leader. Smith was suspended for the first two regular-season games last season for breaking then-teammate Ken Lucas' (FSY) nose in a training-camp fight.

Smith's return was a boost for Carolina in a training camp full of injuries. Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (FSY) was lost for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon, and running back Jonathan Stewart (FSY) remained sidelined Friday with lingering pain in his Achilles'.