Here are some observations from Carolina Panthers practice Wednesday at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.

Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart is making progress in his return from turf toe surgery, but said he still lacks the explosiveness he had in college.

"Going to certain sides and everything, that's what we're working on right now," said Stewart, the 13th overall pick in this year's draft. "... The whole explosiveness, some of that stuff is kind of limited because of my toe."

Stewart doesn't seem too worried.

He just keeps reminding himself that he's only been practicing for 12 days. He had surgery in March and didn't partici-pate in any of the team's minicamps, so it's still early.

When asked if doctors have given him an idea of when he might be 100 percent, Stewart said, "I really don't know. I hope soon. I'm pretty sure it's going to be soon."

He's optimistic about playing in Saturday night's preseason opener against Indianapolis, but isn't sure if he'll be cleared by the medical staff to participate. Coach John Fox said that decision hasn't been determined.

"I'm just kind of antsy about going out there and just playing again to my full potential," Stewart said. "It's been since November (when he first injured it) since I've be en able to do that. I'm feeling kind of antsy, but patience is a virtue we all desire."

The Panthers have limited Stewart's reps at camp to keep him from rushing back too soon and re-injuring the toe.

"He's fine. We're just being precautionary," Fox said. "He's progressing just fine. He's getting plenty of reps. He's in all the meetings."

NOTABLE: Jon Beason is getting used to the notion of having defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac in his ear while he's on the field.
An NFL rule change this year allows one defensive player to wear a microphone in his helmet to receive signals from the sidelines, just as the quarterback does.

"It's been fun," Beason said. "You get the calls faster and it gives you more chance to think about it and talk about it with other guys and make sure you are on the same page."

However, Beason said he still needs to know the hand signals as a backup.

"Yeah, there is a little glitch in it because it times out after 15 seconds and the play clock is 35 seconds," Beason said. "So the offense can wait 15 seconds and call their play and then you have to get (hand) signals from the sidelines anyway."

DEPTH CHART WATCH: A few readers asked me why Adam Seward is practicing with the first team with Jon Beason out. That's simple - Seward is N o. 2 on the depth chart; rookie Dan Connor is No. 3. Connor did get some reps with the starters earlier in the week, but that was when Beason and Seward were out.

ON THE RISE: It will be nearly impossible for him to make the roster, but undrafted rookie running back Decori Birming-ham (5-10, 210) has looked fast and quick in practice. I guess we shouldn't be completely surprised since Birmingham had a productive college career at Arkansas and has bounced around NFL training camps since 2005. I look forward to watching him in the fourth quarter Saturday night.

WHAT WE LEARNED: That it can still get pretty hot in Spartanburg. Temperatures reached into triple digits for the afternoon session, making it pretty uncomfortable outside.

"We deal with it every year," Fox said. "Our medical people, and I say this all the time, do a fantastic job. They do a good job with our players in rehabbing. They do a great job in every area, and heat is one of them. We are set up very well for it and we take steps as far as getting them out of the heat, getting them cooled off and giving them plenty of fluids. (Head athletic trainer) Ryan (Vermillion) and his staff do a fantastic job."

PLAY OF THE DAY: Matt Moore came through with the play of the day, hitting tight end Jeff King on a perfectly thrown ball in the right corner of the end zone in the morning session. In the afternoon, Moore hooked up with Muhsin Muhammad on a deep route for a long score.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: Wednesday night was family night. The Marriott Hotel here in Spartanburg was packed with play-ers' wives and children.

THEY SAID IT: "It's amazing how everybody wants to come to the NFC South. You have (Jeremy) Shockey and (Jonathan) Vilma already here, and I think highly of those guys. If Brett Favre comes in, it's going to be a loaded division. But for us it's just business as usual. I don't see him staying there though. I think if he comes in, then Tampa Bay will wind up trading him to Minnesota."

- Beason on the prospect of Brett Favre being traded from Green Bay to Tampa Bay.

YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: For those curious about next week's practice schedule, it will look like this: the team will practice Monday at 9:10 a.m. and 6:40 p.m., Tuesday at 3:10 p.m., and Wednesday at 9:10 a.m.

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 - Black boot seen on Beason's ankle on Wednesday. Don't worry, it's just precautionary and Beason said it isn't that bad and he'll be just fine.

IN MY OPINION: I continue to be amazed at how much poise Moore has in the pocket for a second-year guy.He seems so comfortable back there, like he's been playing there all of his life. I think the future is real bright for this kid, but he'll have to bide his time. At 33, Jake Delhomme still has plenty of good years left.

INJURY UPDATE: Keeping with the troublesome trend of one-injured-player-per-practice, cornerback Chris Gamble left Wednesday afternoon after tweaking his hamstring. Like most of Carolina's injuries it's not believed to be serious and he's listed as day-to-day.
In the morning session, receivers Steve Smith (toe) and D.J. Hackett (ankle) suffered minor injuries, although Smith did return in the afternoon.

Here's the list of guys who didn't practice in the afternoon: Jeff Otah (rest), D.J. Hackett (ankle), Beason (ankle), Ryne Robinson (knee), Ian Scott (knee), Ken Lucas (nose), Chris Harris (groin), Dante Rosario (hamstring), Gary Barnidge (glute) and Chris Conklin (unknown). Of those injuries, only Robinson and Scott should miss more than a week.

ON TAP FOR TODAY: The Panthers practice today at 3:10 p.m. at Wofford College. All practices are free and open to the public.