FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/31/2013 11:17am et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith said he wants to play 15 or 16 seasons. The 33-year-old and 13-year veteran wants to emulate former Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber, who just retired. "Physically, I feel great right now," Smith said. He battled knee injuries for much of last year but reportedly has looked limber and has his motor back.

Huddle Up: Smith has shown no signs of slowing down, and the Panthers haven't exactly lined up his successor as the team's go-to receiver so they aren't expecting a drop-off either. Despite Smith's consistent production he's slipping off the fantasy radar with an ADP that tracks him as a fringe fantasy WR3, which feels like an opportunity for the shrewd drafter.

Posted: 5/31/2013 12:03am et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith said he wants to play 15 or 16 years in his career, which would take him through the 2015 season or the 2016 season. Smith said he feels great physically, and head coach Ron Rivera said he believes Smith is still at the top of his game.

Huddle Up: With the retirement announcement from the "other" Steve Smith earlier this week, many immediately assumed it was the Panthers' Smith, who turned 34 in May. Still, with 152 catches for 2,568 yards and 11 TDs over the past 2 seasons, Smith is still going strong, and his 2-year yardage total ranks as the second-best back-to-back season total in his 12-year career.

Posted: 3/26/2013 12:20pm et

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera plans to give WR Steve Smith more rest during the regular season in order to keep him healthy. 'I think we have to be smart with Steve, make sure we put him in position to take advantage of his abilities and maximize his time and not waste his time or reps. So he's getting quality reps and quality plays,' Rivera said.

Huddle Up: Smith has enjoyed a revival of sorts since QB Cam Newton's arrival in 2011, hauling in 79 and 73 passes, respectively, over the past 2 seasons. Still, Smith turns 34 in May, and can't reasonably be expected to stay productive as the team's do-it-all one-man WR show any longer.

Posted: 11/24/2012 7:39pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (finger) fully participated in practice Saturday, Nov. 24, and is listed as probable for Week 12.

Huddle Up: Smith should be good to go on MNF as he tries to shake off his recent slump. Over his past 3 games, Smith has 8 catches for 121 yards and a TD -- still his only score of the season so far.

Posted: 11/14/2012 7:12pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith, along with other veterans, were rested from practice Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Huddle Up: After posting double-digit fantasy points in Weeks 8 & 9, Smith managed only 1 reception for 19 yards last week against the Broncos. Still, he has a good chance to get back on track in Week 11 facing a Bucs' secondary that ranks next-to-last in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers.

Posted: 11/14/2012 4:27pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Huddle Up: It sounds like Smith is just taking a day off. He has a nice matchup against the Buccaneers this week, making him a must-start barring any injury developments.

Posted: 10/31/2012 11:23am et

Updating a previous item, teams have called the Carolina Panthers to gauge interest in trading for WR Steve Smith; however, the Panthers have turned down the inquiries thus far.

Huddle Up: Sounds like the Panthers will need to be overwhelmed with an offer to move either Smith or running back DeAngelo Williams. Trades in the NFL remain rare.

Posted: 10/30/2012 7:51pm et

The Carolina Panthers have received trade inquiries on WR Steve Smith, but they say they are not interested in moving him.

Huddle Up: Hard to see to the Panthers parting with Smith, even given his age (33). Smith has far and away been Cam Newton's top target for the past season and a half -- a point driven home by the highlight-reel receiving display Smith put on during his 7-catch, 118-yard outing Sunday in Week 8.

Posted: 9/17/2012 7:28pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (knee) did not practice Monday, Sept. 17.

Huddle Up: Like teammate Jonathan Stewart, this is likely a pracautionary day of rest for the Panthers' top target.

Posted: 9/16/2012 6:30pm et

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (leg) returned to the game after missing some time.

Huddle Up: It turned out to be a basic case of cramps, and after getting an IV in the lockerroom, Smith returned to haul in a 66-yard reception -- his longest of the day. He finished with 3 catches for a team-high 104 yards on 4 targets.

Posted: 9/14/2012 2:45pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Sept. 14, and is listed as questionable for Week 2.

Huddle Up: We find it difficult to believe Smith will be out this week. He has a fantastic matchup against a Saints defense that gave up 100-plus yards to Pierre Garçon in one quarter of play. Smith might not be in line for a 400-yard day, but he should be a fantastic start.

Posted: 9/13/2012 12:07am et

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday, Sept. 12, that WR Steve Smith (foot, knee) would play 'without a doubt' in the Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Huddle Up: As usual, fantasy owners can count on Smith, who shook off a preseason foot infection to once again lead the team in targets (11), receptions (7) and receiving yards (106) in the season-opening loss to the Bucs.

Posted: 9/12/2012 4:23pm et

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (foot, knee) wore a knee brace in practice Wednesday, Sept. 12, as a precaution, according to head coach Ron Rivera.

Huddle Up: It sounds like they are trying to keep Smith healthy. He has a tasty matchup against a Saints defense that gave up a ton of passing yardage last week, albeit they may have been taken a bit by surprise by the offensive scheme the Redskins rolled out with. If fully healthy, Smith is an excellent starter this week.

Posted: 9/5/2012 7:09pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (foot) practiced in full Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Huddle Up: Bad news, Bucs: It looks like Cam Newton will have his top target for Sunday's season-opening NFC South tilt in Tampa. Smith was sidelined with a foot infection the latter part of the preseason, but he has practiced all week.

Posted: 9/2/2012 7:32pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (foot) participated in practice Sunday, Sept. 2, and is expected to play Week 1.

Huddle Up: The 33-year-old Smith as battled a foot infection the last half of the preseason, and his status directly affects the fantasy value of QB Cam Newton as Smith is unquestionably the top target in Carolina.

Posted: 8/29/2012 1:44pm et

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said WR Steve Smith (foot) is doing better and is expected to be ready to play Week 1.

Huddle Up: The 33-year-old has been out of commission for a few weeks with this injury, so he might have a little rust to shake off upon his return. Smith has always come back strong from injury, though; don't sweat putting him in your lineup if he indeed starts in Week 1.

Posted: 8/29/2012 10:52am et

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said WR Steve Smith remains unable to put weight on his foot; however, Smith is doing much better. The lingering nature of the condition has created speculation that Smith may have had a staph infection. A team source, however, indicates that Smith did not have a staph infection.

Huddle Up: Good news that it's not a staph infection; bad news that we're a week out from the start of the regular season and Smith can't put weight on his foot. No indication that he'll miss time so no need to ding Smith's fantasy ranking just yet, but if he's not back on the field soon he'll bring Cam Newton's value down with him.

Posted: 8/28/2012 7:53pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (foot) is much better and is walking more on his infected foot, according to head coach Ron Rivera.

Huddle Up: This isn't your typical preseason injury, but nothing we've heard suggests Smith is any serious danger of missing the regular season opener. Smith, in fact, only has missed 8 games over the past 7 seasons, so expect him to hit the field running Week 1 vs. the division-rival Bucs.

Posted: 8/27/2012 11:52am et

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Sunday, Aug. 26, that he is hopeful WR Steve Smith will be able to return to practice Tuesday, Aug. 28. However, he has already been ruled out for the preseason finale Thursday, Aug. 30, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Huddle Up: Smith is nursing a foot injury but probably wouldn't have played in the preseason finale even if he was healthy. Getting him back on the practice field would be a solid indicator he'll be all systems go for Week 1 of the regular season, making those who spent an early pick on Smith feel a whole lot better.

Posted: 8/24/2012 3:51pm et

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (foot) will miss the team's preseason game Sunday, Aug. 26, against the New York Jets, according to head coach Ron Rivera. DT Andre Neblett (illness) and LB Jon Beason (hamstring) will also not play.

Huddle Up: This should not be alarming for fantasy owners going into the season, but Smith has seen his share of injuries throughout his career. As long as this does not linger, draft Smith with confidence.

Posted: 8/22/2012 7:31pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (foot) is seeing a doctor for a foot infection he is dealing with. The issue has kept him out of practice all week, but it is not believed to be serious. Smith was seen walking on crutches Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Huddle Up: This is cause for concern for the Panthers, who are counting on the 33-year-old wideout as their top target in the passing game. Smith had a big-time resurgence last season, teamming with rookie QB Cam Newton for 79 catches, 1,394 yards and 7 TDs. Carolina still is searching for a reliable target on the other side, so Smith's health is vital.

Posted: 6/23/2012 4:58pm et

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith said free-agent WR Plaxico Burress is an exceptional wide receiver; however, Smith would rather the team focus on giving the younger receivers on the team a chance instead of signing Burress. "We've filled our chairs in the receivers room with already a lot of guys--young and older guys. To bring in Plax (and) to let one of those guys go it wouldn't be the Coach Rivera way," Smith said. "The guys that are in there, they earned those chairs for right now and allowed them to go through training camp."

Huddle Up: It makes sense for Smith to defend both his guys and his territory as the Panthers' alpha receiver. But you have to think opponents would be less inclined to double Smith if they also had to defend against Burress instead of, say, Brandon LaFell.