Panthers' Davis Says He'll Return Sooner

Panthers' Davis Says He'll Return Sooner

JENNA FRYER

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers think Stephen Davis could be out up to five weeks with a knee injury. Davis says it won't nearly be that long.

Davis had surgery on his right knee to repair torn cartilage last Friday, missing the Panthers victory over Kansas City. Carolina is off this week, and Davis has not ruled out playing Oct. 3 against Atlanta.

"I read that it's going to be two to five weeks. It's not going to be five weeks, I know that," Davis said. "It's possible with everything that I'm doing to try to get myself ready (for Atlanta). Anything is possible."

Davis' rushed return has nothing to do with jealousy over DeShaun Foster's outstanding game against the Chiefs. Foster stepped in for Davis and ran for 174 yards and a touchdown.

On many teams, the starter might begin to worry, sitting on his couch, watching on television as his understudy puts up huge numbers.

But Davis and Foster have a strong relationship, and Davis knows the starting job is his whenever he gets back. So instead of sulking his way through the game, Davis said he nearly gave the neighbors reason to complain by cheering loudly during Foster's runs.

"It was a nice day and the windows were up and I was doing a lot of yelling," Davis said. "I'm very proud of him. He did some things in that game that you knew he could do."

The highlight for Davis was Foster's team-record 71-yard run that set up the touchdown that broke open the game for Carolina.

"The long run, I'm most proud of because he broke some tackles to get into the open field and showed a lot of people he can run," Davis said. "He did a lot of great things."

There is no jealousy between the two, who have developed a big-brother relationship similar to the one Davis had with the Washington Redskins when veteran Terry Allen took him under his wing.

So any push Davis has to get back into the lineup is internal. The only goal Davis set for himself this season was playing all 16 games, something he's done just once in his career.

"I want to come fast regardless of what DeShaun does," he said. "To get an opportunity to get out and play, that is the most important thing to me."

Davis is 30 years old, with a history of little injuries that tend to linger and cost him playing time. The Panthers rely heavily on Foster as insurance.

But there's no doubt Davis is the team's No. 1 back. He rushed for a career-high 1,444 yards last season and had a team record seven 100-yard games.

And if Davis has his way, he'll be the featured back again soon.

"As soon as possible," he said. "I want to get back out there."

 

I bet he gets well fast if Foster has another good game.

 

Ah, Fear of loosing your job.....The Great Motivator!

 

He is saying stuff about Foster that we wouldn't hear from a lot of guys in his position. I like it.

 

:xyzthumbs

 

If all it appears it will be, the transition from Davis -> Foster should be seamless. And the Panthers will have some serious talent in that backfield.

How long is Davis under contract for?

 

He may be ready for Atlanta, but they won't play him.

 

I said during the game too, Davis is Foster's biggest fan.

Foster couldn't have it any better right now. For somebody to have a chip on his shoulder for getting drafted in the 2nd round, to be humble and know his role on the team at this time, it's huge for him...and if the Panthers can keep him, huge for us.

 

They had to hide his helmet last year. Didn't they??

 

I thought that was Morgan