Inside the Panthers

Brayton fined $5,000 for hit on Atlanta QB

Panthers defensive end Tyler Brayton was fined $5,000 for hitting Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan in the knee area during last Sunday's 28-19 win over the Falcons, according to the NFL.

The hit came with 8:49 remaining in the game. Brayton was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer. Officials announced at the time that Brayton had made "forceable contact to the knee."

-- Charles Chandler

Diggs, L. Johnson added to injury report

Panthers coach John Fox said today linebackers Na'il Diggs (ribs) and Landon Johnson (knee) have been added to the team's injury report after Sunday's loss against Miami. Diggs' injury isn't to the same ribs he injured earlier this season, but the injury is "similar," according to Fox.

Fox also said the injury to Johnson -- who is starting in place of Thomas Davis, who's out for the season with a torn ACL -- isn't serious enough that it will require surgery.

Fox also said he's hopeful that defensive end Charles Johnson (pectoral), safety Charles Godfrey (ankle) and fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) will be back for next week's game at the New York Jets. -- David Scott

Smith: Wreck was 'honest mistake'

Here's Panthers receiver Steve Smith's description of the minor traffic accident he was in before Thursday's game against the Dolphins. Smith wasn't injured and played in the game, catching seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Smith said he was leaving the team's hotel, headed for Bank of America Stadium, when the accident happened.

"I'm cruising...then a guy comes over and decides to become one with me in the lane," said Smith. "He sideswiped me."

Smith said the other driver -- who was going to the game and was wearing Panthers apparel -- was apologetic.

"He was very pleasant," said Smith. "It was an honest mistake."

Smith did say it was unfortunate for the other driver.

"I feel bad for his insurance," Smith said. -- David Scott

Friday's Panthers-Dolphins postgame links

Friday's links from the Carolina Panthers-Miami Dolphins game:

Panthers fall, but Fox says playoff hopes aren't completely dashed / Charlotte Observer

Fowler: Delhomme to Smith has lost its magic / Charlotte Observer

Scott Says: Five things I didn't like / Charlotte Observer

Notebook: Peppers limited to passing downs / Charlotte Observer

Panthers-Dolphins photo gallery / Charlotte Observer

Dolphins won by dominating in trenches / Charlotte Observer

Panthers report card / Charlotte Observer

Key plays from Panthers-Dolphins / Charlotte Observer

Tom Talks: Marriage proposal at stadium / Charlotte Observer

Game statistics: Panthers-Dolphins / Charlotte Observer

Panthers anemic on both sides in loss / Rock Hill Herald

Notebook: Peppers limited by hand injury / Rock Hill Herald

Dolphins roll on backup power / Miami Herald

Dolphins need more help for Williams / Miami Herald

Porter, Starks are a pain for Panthers / Miami Herald

Have Panthers thrown in the towel? / Gaston Gazette

Red zone, tackling problems in loss / Gaston Gazette

Porter makes statement, Dolphins follow / South Florida Sun Sentinel

Third Quarter Update: Dolphins 14, Panthers 3

No points in the third quarter, but the Panthers were driving and at the Miami 8 as the quarter ended. DeAngelo Williams had a scintillating 18-yard zig-zagging run to get the ball inside the 10.

-- Charles Chandler

Halftime update: Dolphins 14, Panthers 3

Miami scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the half to stun the Panthers and take an 11-point lead.

Sparked by a 36-yard completion from quarterback Chad Henne to receiver Brian Hartline, the Dolphins drove 81 yards for their first TD.

The score came on  a 14-yard pass from Henne to running back Ricky Williams, who beat linebacker Na'il Diggs to get into the end zone.

After a Carolina possession, a shanked, low punt by Jason Baker gave Dolphins' return man Davone Bess a running start. The 34-punt was returned 22 yards to the Carolina 29.

Miami took advantage of the field position, scoring with 57 seconds left in the half on a 1-yard run out of the Wildcat formation by Williams.

The four-minute stretch marked the first time in Williams' career that he has scored running and receiving TDs in the same game.

-- Charles Chandler

First Quarter Update: Panthers 3, Dolphins 0

The only points of the first period came on a 29-yard field goal by Carolina kicker John Kasay after Carolina's 12-play, 51-yard drive stalled at the Miami 7.

The Panthers ran three plays from the 7, two passes attempted and a sack, and couldn't get into the end zone.

Miami never got in scoring position.

-- Charles Chandler

TE Fasano on Dolphins' inactive list

Miami starting tight end Anthony Fasano won't play tonight due to a hip injury. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Joey Haynos.

He heads the Dolphins' inactive list that also includes running back Nate Ness, linebacker Eric Walden, tackle Andrew Gardner, defensive end Lionel Dodson, tackle Lydon Murtha, and defensive tackle Paul Soliai.

The third (emergency) quarterback is Tyler Thigpen, formerly of Coastal Carolina and the Kansas City Chiefs.

-- Charles Chandler

Panthers' inactives include DE Johnson, but new WR Martin is active

The Panthers have activated wide receiver Charly Martin in his first game since being signed from the practice squad to fill Jordan Gross' roster spot earlier this week. Martin's move up also bumped Kenneth Moore to the inactive list.

The inactive list also features defensive end Charles Johnson, who injured his pectoral muscle against Atlanta on Sunday and didn't practice this week.

The Panthers also activated tackle Garry Williams, who becomes the team's seventh offensive linemen with Gross on injured reserve.

Other inactives: safety Charles Godfrey (injured ankle), running back Mike Goodson, fullback Brad Hoover (injured ankle), guard Duke Robinson, and defensive end Hilee Taylor. A.J. Feeley is the third quarterback.

-- Charles Chandler

Smith in minor auto accident; he's OK

Panthers receiver Steve Smith was in a minor car accident on the way to the stadium, but he's OK and will play, according to team spokesman Charlie Dayton. -- David Scott