By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - Steve Smith's final game appearance until mid-September will be among the notable events at Heinz Field on Thursday night, when the wideout and his Carolina Panthers face the homestanding Pittsburgh Steelers in the final preseason tune-up for both squads.
Smith was suspended for the first two regular season games following a training camp incident in which he broke the nose of teammate and cornerback Ken Lucas. The Pro Bowl wideout will miss the Panthers' opener at San Diego on Sept. 7, and will also be unavailable for the home lid-lifter against Chicago a week later.
Smith, who has missed time this preseason due to a concussion unrelated to the incident with Lucas, has five catches for 79 yards with a touchdown during the warm-up period. Lucas has returned to the field after reportedly undergoing a procedure to repair his nose.
With Smith out for two games and other Carolina wideouts such as Ryne Robinson (knee) and D.J. Hackett (toe) not available until the start of the regular season, at the earliest, the Panthers on Tuesday signed ex-Chiefs starter Samie Parker to bolster the receiving corps.
Parker was released by the Denver Broncos on Monday, and has just one catch in the 2008 preseason.
Jake Delhomme and the other Carolina starters are likely to play only sparingly in Pittsburgh.
Like their opponents, the Steelers are expected to take a generally relaxed approach to Thursday's contest, with little time available for the first- string.
But the contest will be notable for the expected initial appearance of August for safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring), who was recently activated from the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) list and should be in uniform against the Panthers.
The status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), linebacker James Harrison (shoulder) and receiver Limas Sweed (knee), is less certain. All three missed practice time early in the week with nagging injuries.
Linebacker Larry Foote (knee sprain) has been ruled out for the preseason finale, and his status for the team's opener is uncertain.
Pittsburgh opens its season on Sept. 7 with a date against the Texans at Heinz Field.
The Steelers lead the all-time preseason series with the Panthers, 5-4, including a 19-3 road triumph prior to last season.
