Two backs better than one

If Carolina's DeShaun Foster is only 98 percent or so back from the knee surgery that ended his rookie season before it began, as he says, then the Colts certainly don't want to see him in complete health any time soon.

The Panthers' numbingly efficient Stephen Davis-led ground game didn't need another weapon to aim at opposing defenses this season. But they've got one now, thanks to Foster's eye-opening performance in Carolina's 23-20 overtime upset of undefeated Indianapolis

Replacing the injured Davis (bruised right forearm) for most of the second half and all of the brief overtime period, Foster, Carolina's second-round pick in 2002, announced his presence with 85 yards rushing on 16 carries, plus 54 more yards on two receptions. All but one of Foster's catches and 47 of his receiving yards came after halftime, when the Panthers erased a 13-3 deficit and went on to win their franchise-record fifth consecutive game to open the season.

"Coach [ John Fox] let me know that Stephen was down and it was going to be on my shoulders, me and Rod [Smart],'' Foster said. "We just wanted to answer the call and keep on going ... I always knew in the back of my mind I was going to be all right. But it was tough, just coming off it. You've just got to stay positive and go from there.''

In the span of one eventful game, Foster has gone from being the team's effective third-down back to a runner who will begin to cut into Davis' playing time on a regular basis. That eventuality seemed assured late Sunday afternoon, as Fox found himself with the kind of pleasant problem that every NFL head coach dreams of: two lead running backs, one football.

Not that the development comes as a shock, Fox said. Carolina quickly knew what it had last year after drafting the former UCLA Bruin.

"He's very, very talented, and we knew that a year ago,'' Fox said. "We've been easing him in because of the injury, and trying to get him back in football shape. But I knew what he could do the first time he ever touched the ball for us in a preseason game. He went 80 yards [actually 61] with it against the Redskins' first-team defense and stiff-armed Darrell Green like a stepchild. So he's talented.''

Foster entered play against the Colts with 97 yards rushing on 21 carries this season, adding five receptions for 20 yards. But he had done nothing to really hint that he was close to a breakthrough outing, and in fact had sat out Thursday's practice after Charlotte's cool weather left his surgically repaired left knee aching.

"It's been a year since I've played as much as I've played this week, so I tried to stay in shape," Foster said. "I was feeling good, and it worked out. I took the day off and it paid off."

After leading the Panthers in rushing last preseason, with 133 yards and one touchdown -- the aforementioned 61-yard score -- Foster hurt his knee in the team's third preseason game. He underwent the sometimes-controversial microfracture surgical procedure on his knee, and this offseason endured the questioning of those who doubted he would ever return to match his UCLA level of production.