Panthers WR Steve Smith Expects To Play Despite Injury

Update:

The Carolina Panthers have WR Steve Smith listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.

Smith downgraded himself to “57 percent” on Thursday, but he admitted that this was just a number he made up. Still, his Friday practice was limited to running just five routes, so it appears as though he will be a game-time decision or sorts.

“I’m going to just play ball. That’s all I’m going to do, is play ball,” Smith said. “Like I said, yesterday I didn’t do as well as I expected. And that’s life.”

Meanwhile, Panthers HC Ron Rivera told reports that he believes Smith with play, despite the knee injury.

“My gut is that (Smith) is going to play, but it’s about how he feels,” Rivera said, per Joe Person.

It’s hard to imagine that Smith would sit this game out, even if he’s less than full strength. We’ll have more updates as the news is available.

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Panthers WR Steve Smith told reporters on Thursday that today’s practice didn’t go as well as he hoped and, as a result, Smith downgraded himself from 71 percent to 57 percent, per David Newton.

Smith, 34, has been dealing with a sprained PCL injury that has limited him to some degree throughout the week. Panthers HC Ron Rivera didn’t sound too considered about the injury on Wednesday, but it appears as though Smith may have suffered a bit of a setback on Thursday.

It seems likely that Smith will be available for Sunday’s game against the 49ers, but it’s hard to say how effective he’ll be.