The Panthers are also strongly considering moving star defensive end Julius Peppers from left defensive end, where he's played the last six seasons, to right defensive end, the spot Mike Rucker occupied for nearly a decade.

In fact, Peppers played exclusively at right defensive end during minicamp.

"We look at a lot of things in the offseason," coach John Fox said. "You never stay the same, whether it's personnel or even schemes, offense, defense or special teams. We're going to try him at right a little bit. We had Mike Rucker there ever since we've had Julius. That's changed now, so we're just taking a look at him over there."

Fox wouldn't say if the move is permanent.

"He might end up back on the left," Fox said. "I can't even answer that at this point. But we are taking a look at it because he is a natural left-hand stance guy (since he's left-handed). We'll see how that goes."

--Rookie minicamps are designed for coaches to get a glimpse of their new draft class. But the Panthers aren't going to have that luxury this season as first-round draft picks Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah both sat out of the early May workouts.

Stewart's absence didn't surprise anyone. He is recovering from a turf toe injury but should be fine by training camp.

"I'm anxious to get out there," Stewart said.

Otah's absence was a bit of a surprise, but the team is just trying being cautious with him. Fox said Otah could play right now if needed, but he wants to make sure the big man is fully recovered from a high ankle sprain he suffered at Pitt last season.

Otah will practice in June.

"It's nothing real serious," Fox said. "When a guy has got little things that they've dealt with all last season, it's better to rest them now so it's not a problem as we move forward. We don't anticipate any long-term problems."

Fox said it's still important for both guys to be here at minicamp.

"They are still involved in meetings, and so much of this is mental," Fox said. "This game is played in pads, and some of these situation we get to use, both mini-camp and the OTA's (organized training activities) in June, are without pads, so it's a lot of learning. But there is still a lot of learning going on with those two, even in the meetings."

--Middle linebacker Jon Beason, who led the team with 160 tackles last season, had his arm in a sling at minicamp following surgery to repair a tendon in his wrist. The surgery is considered minor and he should be back on the field in June, coach John Fox said.

--It didn't take long for rookie Charles Godfrey to find a spot in the starting lineup. The rookie out of Iowa worked with the first team at free safety on Friday, ahead of veteran Terrence Holt.

"He's a young guy that obviously we thought highly enough of to take in the third round," Fox said. "We'll throw them out there. As far as where that depth chart ends up, that's in the players' hands when we start competing.

"He's a capable guy. He's 5-11, 200 plus pounds and runs 4.39. Now he's just got to learn the position. He's done it before in college at a high level and he even has some corner background. We're excited about seeing how he develops."

--It doesn't appear the Panthers will be retiring the numbers of Mike Rucker and Mike Minter anytime soon.

The Panthers have given away both numbers to other players.

Godfrey, who could be a starter for years to come at free safety, will wear Minter's No. 30 this season. And free agent Darwin Walker, who was signed last week to provide depth on the defensive line, will wear Rucker's No. 93.

--Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad was back running routes with Steve Smith at minicamp last week and felt at home again.

"It really, really, really felt good to put on a Panther helmet again, and go and sit in my old locker again, and go out and catch some balls, laugh and joke around with my teammates, and start this journey that we go on every year for that Super Bowl," Muhammad said. "It really felt good to scrape the rust off a little bit and get going again."

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