Carolina's Davis done for season

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis was placed on season-ending injured reserve Saturday with a swollen right knee.

Davis began to have soreness and swelling in the knee earlier in the week and decided he would not play again this season.

Davis ran for 549 yards with a team-record 12 touchdowns this season. However, the 31-year-old Auburn product, a three-time Pro-Bowl selection, averaged only 3.1 yards per attempt.

Davis, who is coming off major off-season surgery on the same knee, rushed for a career-best 1,444 yards in 2003, but had only 92 in two games last year due to the injury.

A 10-year veteran, Davis restructured his contract in the off-season, but his trip to the injured reserve list could end his tenure with Carolina.

Nick Goings will take Davis' place as the Panthers' backup to DeShaun Foster.