Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Rams. Williams has missed his third straight practice with an unspecified foot injury. He is Carolina's top rusher with 361 yards on 87 carries.

The Panthers have benched rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen in favor of Matt Moore. Carolina is 0-5 following their bye this past weekend. They are averaging a league-low 10.4 points a game "We have struggled on offense since the beginning of the season," said coach John Fox. "Sometimes it helps to step back and watch and Matt has had a chance to do that."

The Panthers will not trade Steve Smith before Tuesday's deadline under any circumstance, according to a source. Smith is close with Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. DeAngelo Williams will not be traded as well.

The Panthers have claimed wide receiver Devin Thomas off waivers from the Redskins, according to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter. Washington drafted Thomas with the third pick of the second round back in 2008.

The Panthers will be without wide receiver Steve Smith this weekend against the Bears because of an ankle injury. Smith hasn't practiced since he injured the ankle against the Saints last weekend. He has 13 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers says that the Panthers disrespected him and tried to make him look bad. Peppers described his departure from the team that drafted him as "a little sour." He said Wednesday that he was under the impression the Panthers decided to "do away with anybody who is making a significant amount of money" as part of a roster overhaul that's produced the NFL's youngest team. "That's a business decision. I can understand and respect that," Peppers said. "The problem that I had was they tried to turn the tables and make it look like I wanted out no matter what. Really, I didn't have the option to stay. It was never offered to stay."

Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett has been arrested on a charge of driving while impaired for the second time in less than three years, according to authorities. Carolina released Jarrett on Tuesday afternoon and claimed receiver David Clowney off waivers from the Jets. "I talked to Dwayne and told him the situation here is just not working out for either side," general manager Marty Hurney said. "We had a chance to pick up off waivers a receiver we considered claiming when he became available four weeks ago. We wish Dwayne the best."

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith suffered a right ankle injury during the team's loss to the Saints on Sunday. He hobbled off the field in the third quarter. "I'm just going to try to walk to the plane without too much pain and see how it feels in the morning," Smith said. Smith had two catches for 11 yards.

Dwayne Jarrett's agent attempted to orchestrate a trade out of Carolina this past offseason. ?My agent has worked on that behind the scenes,? Jarrett said. ?We had a couple of talks about a couple of things. Of course, they don?t want to let me go or anything like that because they feel like I can help out the team. I guess it?s a matter of me getting that opportunity to help out the team.?