Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve L Smith has done most of his rehab work indoors, but head coach Ron Rivera hopes to have Smith and the other two injured starters on the field next week and playing in the Jan. 12 divisional-round playoff game.
Smith sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Week 16 against the Saints and missed the regular-season finale at Atlanta. Running back Jonathan Stewart has missed three games with a sprained MCL, and defensive tackle Colin Cole sat out the Atlanta game with a strained calf.
Fantasy Impact:
Smith has had a disappointing fantasy season, but he's a key cog in Carolina's pass offense.