Published: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 01:09 AM

Fox not discussing discussion between Beason, Peppers

CHARLOTTE -- The Julius Peppers watch was quiet Friday, as Panthers coach John Fox refrained from saying much about his franchised defensive end or his middle linebacker's public challenge to him.

Fox was asked after Friday's practice about Jon Beason's remarks on a local radio show, in which Beason said he planned to talk to Peppers on Friday about upping his effort.

“Hey, I've been talking to all of them about picking it up,” Fox said. “I've been talking to us coaches about picking it up. We need to pick it up.”

Asked about Peppers specifically, Fox replied: “Not just specifically, but in the entirety. He's on our team. I think when you're sitting at 0-3, it's really obvious that we all need to pick it up.”

Asked if he agreed with Beason's method: “I don't want to comment on any of that. I don't know exactly what was said. I know they're close, and there's a great relationship, and they both expect a lot out of each other just like we all expect a lot out of each other there in that locker room.”

When asked if he would have preferred Beason saying it just to Peppers and not to a radio audience, Fox said: “I've said all I'm going to say.”

Peppers has one sack, four pressures and 10 tackles this season — for which he's being paid more than $1 million per game.

Peppers still commands the respect of opponents, and Washington quarterback Jason Campbell said he is still a focal point of their game plan.

“Watching film, every team that they play, everyone always knows where he's at on the field because he is such a force,” Campbell said. “When people say ‘lack of production,' a lot of that comes from guys getting double-teamed a lot and chipped a lot. Or he's a guy that everyone's always got their eyes on. So it's hard to get those same kind of numbers if he were on one-on-one matchups.

“He's such a dynamic player that people are going to figure out where he's at on the field each and every play. Sometimes that's a credit to him, so that they can have the opportunity to free up other players because there is so much focus on him.”

INJURY UPDATE — Rookie running back Mike Goodson was declared out for Sunday's game because of a concussion. That means the Panthers will have to find a new kick return man, with wide receiver Kenny Moore and rookie running back Tyrell Sutton the most likely candidates.

Sutton would have been active anyway, as running back Jonathan Stewart is questionable with his persistent Achilles problem.

Otherwise, the Panthers' report is as clean as it has been. Safety Chris Harris (knee), linebacker Na'il Diggs (ribs), defensive end Everette Brown (ankle) and fullback Tony Fiammetta (ankle) were all declared probable.

For the Redskins, punter Hunter Smith (groin) is out, and they'll make a move today to promote Glenn Pakulak from their practice squad. The team is also thin at defensive tackle as Anthony Montgomery (knee) is doubtful and Cornelius Griffin (elbow) is questionable.

OH, REALLY — Maybe the Redskins just remember last year's 47-3 beatdown in the preseason.

Or maybe they're just being nice, and playing their fifth straight winless team has them in the routine of giving the Lou Holtz speech.

But here was Redskins coach Jim Zorn on the Panthers:

“They have special talent on their football team,” Zorn said. “They have an excellent concept on defense. That's what I look at, mostly. Even on offense, they have some real weapons and an excellent offensive line, starting with their two tackles. I know ( Jeff) Otah is young but he is truly athletic. And ( Jordan) Gross is a seasoned veteran and just the real mainstay on their offensive line. And then they have some really special talent with their running backs and then Steve ( Smith) out at the wide position. He draws so much attention but he still gets the ball, so, it's truly a good football team. It really is.”

Campbell had this to add:

“The hardest teams to beat are the ones that are searching for a win right now. The reason for it is because teams feel like they are back against a wall and they tend to play with a lot more urgency and a lot harder. Looking at Carolina's team, they are talented from top to bottom. They were a playoff team last season, so they just had some weird things go wrong early in the season, but they are still a good football team.

“You can't overlook them by any means, because the last time we played them in the preseason they put a good whooping on us.”