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Panthers cornerback Ross Cockrell broke his left tibia and fibula during practice Monday at the team's training camp at Wofford College.

The team said Cockrell will need surgery , but has not said if he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

It is the second severe injury in three days for the Panthers, a team that went 11-5 last season and earned a wild-card spot.

Carolina lost starting right tackle Daryl Williams on Saturday to a dislocated patella and torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The Panthers have not said if Williams will have surgery or if he will try to recover without it.

Cockrell was injured when he collided with wide receiver Torrey Smith in the end zone while trying to break up a pass.

Several teammates openly grimaced and quickly looked away after checking on Cockrell, clearly distraught at the sight of his leg. Several players began helping him onto the cart and tapped him on the shoulder pads while others took a knee and prayed before he left on a cart.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera ended the practice session immediately after Cockrell's injury.

"Ross was doing some really good things," Rivera said after practice, before it was announced the leg was broken.

"He's a wily veteran and a guy that has really done some really good things since he's been here. It's one of those things you have a guy who is going to contribute. It's a tough one because he's such a good person, too."

Cockrell signed a two-year , $6.8 million free agent contract this offseason and was expected to compete for a starting spot opposite James Bradberry. Now the Panthers are expected to turn to either rookie Donte Jackson or Kevon Seymour.

Cockrell could be heard screaming "leg is broke" after the collision.

"To hear a grown man scream, you know it's not good," Jackson said.

A look ahead to top enterprise and feature stories planned globally by AP Sports. New digests will go out each Thursday and Monday and will be repeated on other weekdays. Please note that story plans may change depending on news and other issues.

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All times are Eastern.

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MONDAY, May 7

BUFFALO RISING?

BUFFALO, N.Y. -It has never been easy being a sports fan in Buffalo, where losing – and the way the NFL’s Bills and NHL’s Sabres have lost – has been as customary as the winters are long and wings spicy. The teams’ most notorious moments even have names for them , be it the Bills’ ”Wide Right,” or Sabres’ ”No Goal.” And yet, a renewed sense of hope has arisen in this rust-belt city after the Bills selected quarterback Josh Allen in the first round of the draft, and the Sabres won the NHL draft lottery over the span of three days. By John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 950 words, photos by 3 a.m. Monday.

TUESDAY, May 8

BKC–RICE REPORT-BASEBALL DRAFT MODEL

The Commission on College Basketball recommends high school basketball players be allowed to hire agents or advisers to help them weigh the pros and cons of turning professional. The commission also proposes that basketball players who declare for the draft but aren’t selected be allowed to retain their college eligibility. Those proposals are similar to NCAA rules governing baseball. Former TCU baseball star Evan Skoug said his experience with an adviser was invaluable in his draft process. UPCOMING: 900 words , photos by 3 a.m. Tuesday.

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Again, if you have questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia at 215-446-6632 or ogarcia(at)ap.org.

Thanks,

AP Sports

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