CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The last time Daunte Culpepper faced the Carolina Panthers, he was hauled off the field with three torn knee ligaments and his playing career in doubt.

Culpepper returns to Bank of America Stadium on Thursday with a new team and renewed confidence as he tries to continue a successful comeback with the Miami Dolphins.

Culpepper, traded from Minnesota to Miami in March, has completed 8 of 11 passes for 88 yards and no interceptions in two preseason games with the Dolphins. And the knee

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The day he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, Richard Marshall brashly, boldly predicted he'd battle for a starting cornerback job.

Now, after his first training camp, Marshall doesn't appear ready to unseat Ken Lucas or Chris Gamble, but he is working his way up the depth chart - thanks in part to veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

Marshall, a second-round pick from Fresno State, used Johnson's sideline tip to get an interception in Saturday's exhibition win against Jacksonville,

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -John Fox was happy, the veterans were happy, and the rookies were taped to the goal posts as the Carolina Panthers wrapped up training camp Monday.

Fox ended camp two days early for the first time in his five seasons as coach, saying his players had earned the early departure from Wofford College.

``It was probably one of the better (camps) I've been associated with,'' said Fox, who made the decision to end camp early following Saturday's 17-10 exhibition victory at Jacksonville. `

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith sat out the final practice of training camp on Monday due to his strained left hamstring.

Smith rode a stationary bike and did agility drills on the side of the field as the team practiced. He was injured on July 29, the first day of camp.

``It's day-to-day. It's the same it's been,'' coach John Fox said. ``We'll evaluate it one day at a time.''

Smith returned to practice last week, but sat out Saturday's 17-10 exhibition win against Jackson

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith sat out Saturday night's preseason game at Jacksonville because of a strained left hamstring.

Smith missed 17 days of practice after hurting his leg on the first day of training camp. The injury sidelined him for last week's preseason opener against Buffalo. He returned to practice Tuesday and has looked sharp since. But coach John Fox held him out for precautionary reasons.

Smith led the league in receiving last season with 103 catches for 1

But the touchdowns came against fellow backups. Garrard will get a much tougher test Saturday night against the Carolina Panthers, whose first-team defense held Buffalo without a first down in four series last week.

Although Byron Leftwich will start against the Panthers, coach Jack Del Rio planned to get Garrard plenty of work with - and hopefully against - the starters.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -The football field has always been Mike Minter's favorite place. After the unexpected death of his mother, it's become a place to heal.

``Football has always been great medicine in my life,'' the Carolina Panthers safety said Thursday. ``I'm trying to get back into thinking about some football, and that always helps.''

Minter, beginning his 10th season with the Panthers, rejoined the team this week after the funeral Monday for his mother, Florida. She became ill Aug. 8 at her home

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -Steve Smith watched the Carolina Panthers' receiving corps dominate Buffalo last week, and it brought a smile to his face.

``It makes me excited to think when I get back, things can continue,'' said Smith, who missed the preseason opener with a strained hamstring.

``Guys are here to make plays,'' he said. ``We're here to win the Super Bowl. We're here to win championships.''

On the opening drive, Keyshawn Johnson caught two passes for 27 yards, Keary Colbert had two catches for 2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -With a new coach, general manager and more than a dozen new players, it may be hard to recognize the Buffalo Bills in Saturday's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Dick Jauron will make his Bills' coaching debut under new general manager Marv Levy, a Hall of Famer after taking Buffalo to four straight Super Bowls as head coach in the early 1990s.

Add in the offseason departures of veterans Eric Moulds, Sam Adams, Lawyer Milloy, Mike Williams, and Mark Campbell, and the B

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -Wide receiver Steve Smith and safety Mike Minter will miss the Carolina Panthers' exhibition opener against Buffalo on Saturday.

Smith, the NFL's leading receiver last season, missed his 13th straight day of training camp Friday with a strained left hamstring, while Minter is not expected to rejoin the team until next week following the sudden death of his mother on Thursday.

Tight end Kris Mangum, cornerback Marcus Cassel, tackle Dave Kadela, defensive end Devan Long, receiver Dan