Panthers' Davis aims to return for training camp

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Stephen Davis stood in the rain Friday, watching from the sidelines as the Carolina Panthers ran through drills. He's not allowed to suit up and not allowed to run.

All Carolina's star running back can do is watch and wait for his surgically repaired right knee to heal.

"Even though I don't have to be out here, it's something that I love to do," he said. "I can still learn something by watching. And just being around the guys and getting that camaraderie together, it's great. I love being around the guys."

Davis has been out since last season, when he had microfracture surgery. He recently began running on the treadmill and hopes to be back on the field at the start of training camp next month.

But until the trainers give him a timetable, Davis isn't sure when he'll be back in uniform.

"I feel like I'm making a lot of progress, and whenever they tell me, I will be ready. I'm itching to get out there," he said.

The 31-year-old, 10-year veteran had the surgery because his knee was not responding after a procedure to clean out loose cartilage.

DeShaun Foster, his backup, had the same operation his rookie season and hasn't had the problem since. Other running backs were never the same afterward.

"I talk to DeShaun all of the time and he's been telling me, 'Hey, they'll let you know when you are ready. And your body will let you know when it's ready,'" Davis said. "I can see what he is saying. My body is feeling great right now, but it's just that I still need to wait."

The Panthers drafted running back Eric Shelton in the second round as insurance. Both Davis and Foster were sidelined most of last year, then third-stringer Rod Smart injured his knee. It left Carolina using practice squad players and sixth-stringer Nick Goings to get through the year.

Shelton has been described as a big, bruising north-south runner like Davis, leading to speculation that he's actually his replacement.

Davis downplayed that.

"He's quiet like me, but his style is not the same," Davis said. "I think he's going to be a great running back in the league. He's big and strong ... but it will take time."

Much is made of Davis' age and durability -- he has played just one full 16-game schedule in his career.

But when healthy, he is one of the best backs in the league. The Panthers won the NFC title in 2003 behind a team-record 1,444 yards from Davis.

Limited to just lifting weights, Davis said he's stronger than ever and will be ready to go when he's cleared.

"I definitely want to be ready at the start of training camp," he said. "That's my personal goal. I feel that if they see I'm ready to do it, they're going to let me go out there.

"It's getting closer and I'm getting anxious."