Panthers WR Smith injures left hand vs. Bucs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith injured his left hand in the second quarter of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay and has been taken to the locker room for observation.

The team has not announced if he'll return to the game.

Smith injured his hand while trying to catch a pass in the end zone from Cam Newton. Smith came up with the catch but was called for offensive pass interference, nullifying the score.

He left the game holding his left hand and trainers almost immediately took him to the locker room.

Smith has two receptions for 27 yards receiving.

Earlier, Carolina's Charles Johnson left the game after taking a knee to the head from fellow defensive end Greg Hardy. Johnson was taken to the locker room after trainers tested him for a concussion on the sideline.

Johnson's return is questionable.

Johnson, tied for sixth in the league with 8 1-2 sacks, injured his head when he collided with Hardy's knee as they were applying pressure on quarterback Josh Freeman in the backfield late in the first quarter. Both Johnson and Hardy remained on the ground for several minutes while being attended to by trainers.

Hardy got up limping, but did return on the next series to get a sack.