CHARLOTTE - Wide receiver D.J. Hackett is expected back at practice for the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday and, barring any setbacks, should be available for Sunday's NFL season opener against the Chargers at San Diego.

Hackett, who spent an injury-plagued four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, has been sidelined since early August with a toe injury and didn't play in any of the Panthers' four exhibitions.

His return hardly could be more timely. The Panthers are short at the wide receiver position with Steve Smith suspended for the first two games.

Hackett could even start against the Chargers alongside Muhsin Muhammad, with Dwayne Jarrett the third option.

Smith starts serving his suspension this week and won't be allowed around Bank of America Stadium until after the Panthers' Sept. 14 home game against the Chicago Bears.

KICK RETURNER NEEDED: The Panthers are expected to add a kick returner to their roster early this week.

It is the team's biggest need heading into the regular season because Ryne Robinson is still recovering from a knee injury.

Michael Spurlock, cut by Tampa Bay, and 10-year veteran Tim Dwight are among the players available.

Dwight, 33, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but is said to be healthy. He was a Panthers nemesis early in his career when he played for the Atlanta Falcons. Dwight played for the Oakland Raiders last season.

Spurlock, 25, had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last season to become the first player in Buccaneers' history to score on a kickoff or punt return.

FIVE HIRED FOR PRACTICES: Carolina signed five players it cut Saturday to practice squad contracts, including draft picks Nick Hayden and Geoff Schwartz.

Hayden is a defensive tackle taken in the sixth round, whom the Panthers believe has the potential to work his way into their playing rotation.

Schwartz is an offensive tackle drafted in Round 7 whose size (6 feet 6, 331 pounds) makes him an intriguing prospect.

Also added to the practice squad were running back Decori Birmingham, wide receiver William Buchanon and safety Joe Fields.

The Panthers can add three more, but quarterback Brett Basanez isn't expected to be among them even though he's eligible.

MCCLOVER GOES TO TEXANS: The only player cut by the Panthers who was claimed via waivers by another team was defensive end Stanley McClover, who landed with the Houston Texans.

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