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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) --
Stephen Davis
had November 16 circled on his calendar for a while. The two-time Pro Bowl running back can only hope his sore ankle will heal quickly.
After missing last week's game with the injury, Davis hopes to return Sunday when the
Carolina Panthers
host the
Washington Redskins
.
Davis' physical up-the-middle running style was not a fit in Washington coach Steve Spurrier's "Fun 'N' Gun" offense, but it suits Panthers coach John Fox's system just fine.
The 29-year-old Davis was released by Washington last February for salary cap purposes. From 1999-2001, he averaged 326 carries for 1,385 yards and 11 touchdowns. But Davis had just 820 yards on 207 carries last season under Spurrier, missing four games with knee and shoulder injuries.
A month after being released by Washington, Davis signed a five-year, $15.5 million deal with Carolina and immediately became a workhorse back for Fox. He has topped last year's total already with 992 yards on 193 carries.
"I've got to stay calm. It's going to be exciting," said Davis, who is third on the Redskins' all-time rushing list with 5,790 yards and 45 touchdowns in seven years. "That game is special to me as an individual."
The 6-0, 230-pound Davis has rushed for 100 or more yards in six of eight games with Carolina. Washington's leading rusher,
Trung Canidate
, has rushed for 329 yards in seven games. As a team, the Redskins have totaled 930 rushing yards.
Davis appears headed to the playoffs as well while Spurrier and the Redskins are tied for last place in the NFC East. Carolina took a stranglehold of the NFC South Division with a 27-24 victory over the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
last week. The Panthers swept the season series from the Super Bowl champions and own a three-game lead in the division.
Without Davis in the backfield last week,
Jake Delhomme
passed for 277 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning five-yard score with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers built a 20-7 lead before the Buccaneers erupted for 17 fourth-quarter points. But in his first year as a starter, Delhomme played with the aplomb of a seasoned veteran on the winning drive, completing 5-of-6 passes for 78 yards to five different receivers.
"He really showed what type of leader he could be," said Panthers receiver
Ricky Proehl
, who had three catches for 133 yards, including a 66-yard TD. "He told us in the huddle that we were going to score."
In an attempt to end a four-game losing streak, Spurrier handed the play-calling to offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and the Redskins posted a 27-20 win over Seattle last week.
"Maybe I'm struggling calling plays right now," Spurrier admitted. "Shoot, it's not working as well. If I have to bench the play-caller, then I can do that. I benched myself a little bit."
Patrick Ramsey
threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions for the Redskins.
Laveranues Coles
had five catches for 125 yards and
Rod Gardner
added eight receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
The win calmed the turmoil surrounding Spurrier's future in Washington. However, a big day by Davis and a loss to Carolina will not please owner Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.
Carolina kicker
John Kasay
has made all 20 of his field goal attempts.
Washington has won all six previous meetings, the last a 17-14 overtime victory in October 2001.
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