The three plates and up to 20 screws in his left arm? You'd never have guessed that when Carolina's four-time Pro Bowl receiver made an acrobatic, leaping catch in his first practice since he broke his forearm for the second time in six months.
Determined to play in the regular-season opener? You bet, but while Smith declared himself pain-free, he also still hates the preseason, saying, "I don't really care if I play or if I don't -- emphasis on hopefully don't," when asked if he'll play in an exhibition game.
And Smith showed his signature fiery side when he sounded a warning to any opposing defensive player who might think of testing to see if his left arm is suddenly a fragile weak spot.
"I would hope that it wouldn't be a target, but who knows," Smith said. "Every so often you'll come up on a chump that may try whatever -- emphasis on chump.
"I mean if they want to try, they can come get some if they want it. I don't think it's going to work out too well for them. There isn't much bone left in this thing."
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