The NFL fined Carolina defensive end Al Wallace $7,500 Friday for his fourth-quarter hit on Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms. Wallace was fined for unnecessary roughness on the play. He hit Simms shortly after he threw a pass and landed on top of him. Wallace claimed he didn't know Simms had released the ball.

Carolina Panthers All-Pro receiver Steve Smith practiced for the second straight day Friday as he recovers from a strained right hamstring. "He looked good," said coach John Fox, who indicated it will be a game-time decision if Smith plays Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Steve Smith returned to practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Tampa Bay. "You hold your breath, but he looked like he made it through pretty good," said head coach John Fox. "He looked good with the things he did on the practice field today, so we'll just see how he looks and feels tomorrow."

Steve Smith heard the rumor: He's coming back slowly from his hamstring injury as a ploy to get a new contract. The wide receiver shredded that theory Wednesday as he tries to work his way back onto the field for the Carolina Panthers. "For the people who are insulting me and this organization, who think I'm going to stoop down to that level, that's not me," Smith said. "There are a lot of other things I can be doing if I'm holding out. I can go home. I can go to the lake house with my family. I can do a lot of things more important than to make a (fool) out of myself and the organization. You're foolish to think that."

Steve Smith will miss Sunday's game at Minnesota, as he did not travel with the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. Smith hasn't practiced or played since straining his right hamstring in practice Sept. 5. Drew Carter and Keary Colbert are expected to split time opposite Keyshawn Johnson against the Vikings.

Steve Smith, nursing a hamstring injury, missed practice again Friday, and coach John Fox said simply, "No change on the injury report; it's exactly the same as it was Wednesday, Thursday and today." Smith's absence increases the likelihood that he will not play Sunday at Minnesota.

Carolina Panthers All-Pro receiver Steve Smith missed his third straight day of practice Friday with a sore right hamstring, and is doubtful to play in the season opener against Atlanta. "There is nothing new with the injury report. Everyone is still listed the same," coach John Fox said. If Smith, who is listed as questionable, can't play, Keary Colbert or Drew Carter would start at receiver opposite Keyshawn Johnson on Sunday.

Steve Smith missed practice again Thursday and remains questionable for the season opener against Atlanta. "Right now it's day-to-day and when it comes down to Sunday it will be a game-day decision," coach John Fox said. Smith was limited to 10 practices in the preseason because of a strained left hamstring and an ingrown toenail that required stitches. He did not play in any of Carolina's four preseason games. Smith then tweaked his right hamstring in practice Tuesday and was held out of Wednesday's workout.

Count Keyshawn Johnson as someone who expects Steve Smith to play on Sunday versus Atlanta. "I expect to see him playing. I don't know anything different, other than he looks fine to me. But I'm not a doctor," said Johnson, who has yet to play with Smith in a game since signing with Carolina in the offseason. "I think when it happens it will be fun. Hopefully he's playing possum." Smith tweaked his good hamstring on Tuesday and is questionable for Sunday's game.

Steve Smith has more hamstring trouble and is questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta. Smith, who missed 17 days of training camp with a strained left hamstring, did not practice Wednesday because of pain in his right hamstring. Coach John Fox said Smith suffered the injury in practice Tuesday. "He tweaked his other hamstring and we rested him today," Fox said. "We'll see how he looks tomorrow."