Jarrett expected to see more action with Muhammad's knee ailment

By Darin Gantt - dgantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- For three years, he's waited. Now that he's finally approaching ready, Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett could be close to his chance.

With Muhsin Muhammad out of practice Wednesday with a knee problem, Jarrett looks more likely than ever to get increased opportunities in the passing game, if not the start Sunday at Arizona. The 36-year-old Muhammad's officially “day-to-day,” but Jarrett said he has to be ready in case.

“Yeah, it should be a good chance for me to go out and make some plays,” Jarrett said. “It's unfortunate that Moose had to get a little thing. He's still not 100 percent as far as whether he'll play or not. It's still a possibility. So whether he's up or he's not, I've got to be ready to go in there and make some plays.”

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Jarrett's had precious few opportunities this year. He was only targeted twice in the Panthers' first five games (three last week), and has three catches for 26 yards on the season. While it's easy to pin his lack of production on his own issues, the reality is the Panthers rarely run three-wide receiver sets, and their desire to run has kept the better-blocking Muhammad on the field.

That's been a glaring issue — and possibly part of quarterback Jake Delhomme's issues — since Muhammad has struggled to get open downfield anymore.

Jarrett admitted it's tough when the passes don't come your way, but he's trying to wait as patiently as he can.

“It's a challenge; I think whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger,” Jarrett said. “I'm just working every week on my skills to sharpen up, just to be ready. You have to be. That's what comes with being a pro, and just keep pushing.

“I think it's not something I have to prove, I just have to go out there and stay consistent. Just keep making plays, every opportunity. Little chances I've had in the past I've come through, but I want to be more, and do more for the team. Whether it's catching or blocking, whatever I can do.”

INJURY UPDATE — Muhammad was one of five players held out of practice Wednesday, along with running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), tight end Dante Rosario (knee), linebacker Landon Johnson (shoulder) and free safety Charles Godfrey (ankle).

Godfrey rolled through the locker room on crutches with his right ankle in a cast, but Fox said there was nothing broken.

Linebacker Thomas Davis returned to practice on a limited basis. He still leads the team with 55 tackles despite missing last week's game with a hamstring problem.

Fullback Brad Hoover (back) and kicker Rhys Lloyd (ankle) practiced fully.

BOUNCING BACK — Wide receiver Kenny Moore said he's working hard to put last week's disastrous fumble behind him. The Panthers had just scored and caused sa defensive stop to get to within eight points, but Moore's fumble on a punt allowed Buffalo to kick a game-icing field goal.

“Can't try man, have to,” he said of putting the mistake behind him. “That's all I can do now. If I sit back and dwell on it, I'll be back in that hole.

“I just have to get back and learn from it. It was a low part of my career, low part of a game, but there are other games, more years and you've got to move forward from it.”

Whether Moore returns punts of kicks this week remains to be seen, but with Muhammad's status up in the air, he's in line for a considerable role in the passing game regardless.