Forgiven but not forgotten, Smith back from suspension

USA TODAY, September, 2008 by Gary Mihoces

CHARLOTTE -- In his NFL debut with the Carolina Panthers in 2001, Steve Smith returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown at the Minnesota Vikings. Sunday in Minnesota, he makes a different kind of return.

The big-play wide receiver is coming off a two-game club suspension for breaking the nose of a teammate in a training camp fight. Among the Panthers who have welcomed him back this week is starting cornerback Ken Lucas, recipient of the punch.

"I'm just as happy to have Steve back as anybody in this locker room because he's going to help us win a lot of games this year," says Lucas, who forgave Smith and accepted his apology immediately after the incident.

Smith, 29, is Carolina's career leader in touchdowns with 45. His past play...