The Panthers have signed pass rushing specialist Eric Norwood, their fourth-pick in April's NFL Draft. Norwood tops South Carolina's all-time list with 29 sacks. Panthers coach John Fox has said he'll use Norwood at linebacker in passing situations and on special teams.

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith says the broken arm he suffered while playing flag football was a freak accident. "Obviously, I put my team and myself in a bad situation by playing," Smith said. "But that wasn't my intention and wasn't what I thought the outcome was going to be." Playing football out of the team setting and participating in risky activities are usually banned in most NFL contracts. The Panthers aren't expected to take serious action against Smith. "I wish I could take it back," Smith said. "But I am a regular guy outside of football. I mow my grass, too. I can get my finger chopped off fixing my lawnmower. I could roll my ankle playing tag or slip-n-slide with my kids. In hindsight, yeah, I won't do it again. But I was just having fun, playing with some guys."

The Panthers have agreed to terms on a contract with rookie quarterback Tony Pike. Pike, who played at Cincinnati, was drafted in the sixth round of April's NFL Draft.

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith broke his arm playing flag football this weekend. "Steve talked to me and he feels terrible about it," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "Now his focus is on the rehabilitating process and getting back as quickly as he can." Smith had surgery Sunday night to have a small plate and screws inserted in his arm. "They were messing around, the ball went over his head and he slipped," agent Derrick Fox said Monday. "He put his arm out to brace himself. When he did he felt a sharp pain. He went in [Sunday] afternoon to have an X-ray and it showed a break."

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis will undergo surgery Saturday to repair his second torn anterior cruciate ligament in seven months. Davis first tore his ACL in a Nov. 8 game at New Orleans. He had been making a speedy recovery until he re-injured his knee Tuesday while backpedaling in a non-contact drill.

Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad will announce his retirement at a new conference later Thursday, a source told ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas. Carolina did not make any attempt to re-sign Muhammad, who is an unrestricted free agent.