Panthers LB Davis might play in 2019

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who in January said this would "definitely be my last year," told reporters that he is considering playing into 2019.

A four-game suspension Thomas will serve to start the 2018 season for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance apparently played a role in his change of heart.

"It's tough for me to potentially be in the last season of my NFL career, to be faced with a four-game suspension," Davis said. "But I'm just going to take it in stride, take advantage of the time I do have here with my teammates -- OTAs, minicamp process.

"We are going to go to training camp. We are going to have a good camp and just looking forward to doing that."

The 35-year-old Davis is entering the final year of his contract with the Panthers, but has continued to play at a high level.

Davis has been selected to play in the Pro Bowls in each of the last three seasons and was an All-Pro selection in 2015.

"It's important for me to come out each and every day and show that I'm still capable of playing," Davis said, via the Panthers' website. "When you look at the body of work over the OTA and minicamp process, I think that I've proven without a doubt that I can still play this game.

"I'm still out here running around and moving just as fast as any of our young guys. That's kind of how I judge myself."

Thomas spoke to reporters on Thursday for the first time since April, when the NFL announced his suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Davis claims the infraction was unintentional, but didn't duck the blame.

"Ultimately, we're responsible for what we put in our bodies as players and that's something I have to know," Davis said.

Davis has played his entire career with the Panthers, who made him their first pick (No. 14) out of Georgia in the 2005 NFL Draft.