Godfrey's injury leaves Panthers thin at safety spot

By Jake Delhomme

CHARLOTTE -- If the Carolina Panthers didn't have enough problems this weekend, they appear to be facing a polished Arizona passing game a man down.

Free safety Charles Godfrey missed his second straight day of practice Thursday and was still on crutches in the locker room afterward. He declined to talk about the ankle injury that has him in a cast, but it seems clear they're going to have to look elsewhere for a replacement.

That's where the options are few.

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Special teamer Quinton Teal is the only true safety on the roster other than starter Chris Harris, although rookie Sherrod Martin played there in college before taking most of his work here at cornerback.

Martin shrugged Thursday when asked about the chances of his making a first NFL start at his old-and-new position.

“It's one of those day-to-day things, and I'm preparing as if I'm going to be the guy's who's number is called,” Martin said. “I'm excited in a way. No matter how big or small my role is, I just want to come in and be accountable.”

This year, the Panthers' second second-rounder has yet to record a tackle on defense (though he does have three special teams stops), but could be the last line of defense against Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and company Sunday. That's a tough spot for a guy who lost out on playing time to seventh-rounder Captain Munnerlyn after a quiet training camp.

The pressure of going from safety at Troy to corner at this level was tough on the soft-spoken rookie — “I didn't know you could talk,” the effusive Munnerlyn said as reporters spoke with Martin — but he thinks it will help him in the long run.

“Overall, I just feel more familiar with the defense, just knowing what is asked of us and what's going on at each position,” Martin said. “It's kind of helped me overall just knowing what's going on on the field. It's all about experience. The longer you get experience and it's not like tomorrow is new to me it's a difference. I've done it before, and being at each position and you're familiar with it.

“At corner, you're focusing on the little things a lot more, where at safety you've got more of the bigger picture on the field. You've got to have more vision.”

SCOUTING SOUTHPAWS — The Panthers brought in a pair of punters for workouts Thursday, which is odd on two fronts.

One, the normal free agent workout day is Tuesday. Also, they have a good punter already in Jason Baker, who's sixth in the league in gross average (46.8).

Team officials didn't return calls for clarification, but it was likely a case of getting some extra work for their return men. See, Thursday's tryouts were NFL journeyman Glenn Pakulak and rookie Phil Azarik from Bucknell. Both are left-footed, just like Arizona punter Ben Graham.

As much trouble as Panthers return men have been having simply catching the ball (like Kenny Moore's comeback-killer last week), it might make sense to let them catch a few extra from the lefties, considering the ball spins significantly differently off the other foot.

Baker, of course, is right-footed, and unable to replicate that spin in practice.

DAVIS BACK ON THE MOVE — Linebacker Thomas Davis was back to full participation in Thursday's practice, after missing last week's game and being limited Wednesday with a hamstring strain.

Davis, still the team's leading tackler despite missing the Buffalo game, said he “tweaked it” in practice last Wednesday. That led to a vain attempt in pre-game warm-ups last Sunday, but the realization he wasn't ready came quickly.

“Even if I would have been playing poorly, it would have been tough to miss that game,” he said of the frustration of interrupting a career-best run. “If you can't go out and compete with your teammates, it's tough to put in a lot of work during the week and not perform.

“I definitely knew the coaches were doing the best thing for the rest of the season. Can't sit there and go out one game when I'm not ready and re-injure and be out more weeks. It was definitely the best decision, and I'm back right now, hopefully we won't run into that problem again.”

EXTRA POINTS — Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and tight end Dante Rosario were held out of Thursday's practice, the second straight day for both. It's unclear if either will travel this weekend.

If Muhammad can't go, expect Dwayne Jarrett to start in his place.

Linebacker Landon Johnson (shoulder) returned on a limited basis Thursday, while running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) and Davis (hamstring) practiced fully. ...

The Panthers will break from their normal routine for the long road trip. They're flying to Arizona early this morning and will have their normal Friday practice there.