Panthers receiver Steve Smith has vowed to play on Sunday against the 49ers. He also has vowed to practice on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, he’ll deliver on the first of the promises. Per a league source, Smith is expected to practice on a limited basis with a knee injury.
Smith sprained a PCL in Week 16 against the Saints, and he missed the regular-season finale at Atlanta.
On Monday, he initially pegged his availability for Sunday’s rematch with the 49ers at 60-40 before revising his assessment to 100 percent. He explained that the question isn’t whether he can play with the injury, but whether he can play with full confidence in the knee.
Either way, we’ll see No. 89 on Sunday, when the Panthers try to beat San Francisco for a second time this season, which in turn would extend Carolina’s current winning streak over the 49ers to five games.