"The Panthers are confident that getting their No. 1 receiver back will make things easier for the wideouts vying for the No. 2 spot.

Steve Smith sat out the Panthers' first two preseason games recovering from a laceration on his left hand. In his absence, the two players competing for the second spot - Brandon LaFell and Legedu Naanee - have combined for two catches for 35 yards.

But Smith is scheduled to play Thursday at Cincinnati, where the Panthers hope to bounce back from a dismal offensive performance in last week's 20-10 loss at Miami.

"It's really going to open things up," LaFell said of Smith's return to the lineup. "He's been doing this for a long time, and he's still got the ability to go out there and take over a game. With him out there and Jeremy Shockey and the other tight ends out there doing their thing, it's going to open up the field for me and (Naanee) and Armanti (Edwards) and whoever's out there."

Panthers coach Ron Rivera downplayed the competition for the No. 2 spot."