Panthers star receiver Steve Smith has been suspended for the team's first two regular-season games without pay for punching cornerback Ken Lucas in Friday morning's training camp practice in Spartanburg, breaking Lucas' nose.
"What he did was wrong," Fox said of Smith. "We take it very serious. He's being punished severely. ... It's an act that's inexcusable and it can't happen."
The Panthers open the season at San Diego on Sept. 7, then play at home against Chicago on Sept. 14.
Well, this certainly isn't good. Smith should now be moved down on your draft lists, as missing two full games will likely cost him between 150 and 220 receiving yards off his seasonal total.
This move hurts Jake Delhomme -- a lot. It also hurts Jonathan Stewart as defenses will now key (even more) on the running game.
This probably helps DJ Hackett though -- with defenses keying on Muhsin Muhammad as the new WR1, Hackett should see a lot more chances for the first two weeks. He might be a decent flex option during those two games if you really need a WR.