By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kickoff returner Brandon Bennett was downgraded to questionable on the injury report for Sunday's game at Carolina, and defensive end Vaughn Booker to doubtful.

Bennett, the AFC's special teams players of the month for November, has a hyperextended right knee. Booker has a strained rib cage muscle.

If Bennett can't play, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Rudi Johnson will return kickoffs.

STRANGE DAYS: Panthers coach John Fox must enjoy worrying just about football.

The past few weeks for his team have been filled with one off-field distraction after another.

On Tuesday, rookie defensive end Julius Peppers dropped his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He allegedly used a diet supplement that contained a banned substance, and he will begin serving the suspension Sunday when the Panthers play the Bengals.

Defensive tackle Brentson Buckner will return Sunday from a similar four-game suspension.

On Nov.28, running back Lamar Smith was arrested in Charlotte, N.C., on DUI charges and later was given a leave of absence from the team.

On Nov.23, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was released from jail after being charged with misdemeanor assault for striking teammate Anthony Bright during a film session.

Bright was hospitalized for two days and required plastic surgery to repair his broken nose.

The Panthers suspended Smith for one game.

"I know from the outside it probably would appear the walls are crumbling in, and no question they were distractions," Fox said. "But that's part of the game. Has it been easy? No, but an NFL season typically is not."

On Sunday, the Panthers upset the Browns 13-6 at Cleveland to snap an eight-game losing streak. They are 4-8.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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