Just four days after injuring his right shoulder, Panthers' wide receiver Steve Smith shocked everyone by returning to the practice field Friday morning.

Initially thought to be out for at least 2 to 4 weeks, Smith ran with his teammates in full pads and participated in individual drills before sitting out the full-contact team drills.

"It's a pretty deep bone bruise but it's alright," Smith said.  "It's getting more tolerable."

Smith's quick return is great news for the Panthers, who have already lost defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu for the season with a torn achilles tendon.