Iowans in the NFL: Panthers' Charles Godfrey sidelined with broken hand

MIKE CRANSTON

AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Add a broken hand to the growing list of injuries depleting the Carolina Panthers' troubled defense.

Starting free safety Charles Godfrey underwent surgery Monday to repair a broken bone in his right hand, two days after he was injured in an exhibition loss to Miami.

Coach John Fox wouldn't say how long Godfrey, a 2008 third-round round pick from Iowa who started all 16 games last season, will be out. But with his backup, Nate Salley, still sidelined with a sore knee, the Panthers scrambled to sign veteran safety Kevin Kaesviharn on Monday.

Receiver Jason Carter was waived to make room for the Kaesviharn, who was escorted to the practice field early in Carolina's practice.

The Panthers were already without Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason, who sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Saturday. Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu tore his right Achilles' tendon in the first training camp practice and is lost for the season.

Godfrey may be able to return for the regular-season opener wearing a cast, but Quinton Teal will likely immediately move into Carolina's starting lineup next to strong safety Chris Harris.

Kaesviharn could be an option, too.

"He's a veteran safety that we think can step in and help us," Fox said. "He's got some catching up to do, but he's proven he can play."

Kaesviharn, who turns 33 Saturday, helped beat the Panthers on a bizarre play in the 2006 season. Then playing for Cincinnati, Kaesviharn intercepted Jake Delhomme's pass in the end zone with the Panthers trailing by three points late in the fourth quarter. Fox said a day later that Kaesviharn only made the play because he was in the wrong spot after the Bengals blew the coverage for the pass intended for Keyshawn Johnson.

"I kind of lucked into it," Kaesviharn said. "It made the difference in the game, but that was a while ago. Today's a new day."

Godfrey's injury Saturday had been overshadowed by Beason's knee problem, which will keep him sidelined for at least a couple weeks.

The Panthers have yet to replace the run-stuffing Kemoeatu, leaving first-year defensive coordinator Ron Meeks with several holes to fill.

The Panthers did get some good news Monday. Starting outside linebacker Thomas Davis (knee) and reserve linebacker Landon Johnson (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis after missing most of training camp.

Running back Jonathan Stewart remained sidelined with pain in his left Achilles' tendon.

Carter became a casualty of Carolina's defensive injuries. The receiver had dazzled in training camp last year before blowing out his knee in the third preseason game. He had been less impressive this camp this year and dropped two passes against the New York Giants.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.