Steve Smith walked slowly across campus here Tuesday with his right arm in a sling, facing the prospect he'll miss several weeks of the preseason.

The Carolina star receiver was subdued, yet also relieved his shoulder injury wasn't more serious.

"I thought it was broke," Smith said, "because it started hurting immediately."

The collision with cornerback Chris Gamble and the ensuing hard fall Monday night in a passing drill during a non-padded practice produced murmurs in the Panthers' unlucky training camp.

A week after starting defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu was lost for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon, Panthers coaches and players watched their top playmaker kick his helmet in frustration before being carted to the locker room.

X-rays were negative, and while Smith declined to say if he had separated his shoulder, the four-time Pro Bowl selection appeared confident he'll be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 13 against Philadelphia.

"I would hope so," Smith said. "Once again, I left that (medical) degree at home. so I don't know the timetable at which I'll be full go."

While the Panthers are always secretive with injuries, Smith wouldn't even say if he would get an MRI, there was a sense they avoided a major pitfall after seeing Smith's right shoulder slam to the turf.

"We were doing oneon ones," Smith said. "Two competitors going after the ball, accidents happen. I know, I spoke to (Gamble) and I know it wasn't a malicious act or trying to do it personally.

"But I was still upset, because going through camp, whether you're nine years or one year, no one wants to get hurt. That same time, they want to get through camp peacefully and injury free so you can go into the season without little things nagging."

Smith has a history of shoulder trouble dating to a loss to Dallas in 2007. Last year he fell hard on his right shoulder in a preseason win over Washington.

This time, Smith could miss the entire preseason.

"We had breakfast this morning and he was a lot more sore this morning, but that's to be expected," quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "He'll be fine. I know he'll get frustrated and aggravated, but I think we all would. You don't come to camp to sit..."