Maake Kemoeatu sat in the shade off to the side of Carolina's practice field in Spartanburg, S.C., yesterday, his right leg extended and wrapped in an air cast. A pair of crutches rested on a folding chair next to him.

The previous day, the Kahuku High alum tore his Achilles tendon.

"Bummed out," Kemoeatu said. "I wasn't coming into camp expecting to get hurt on the first day. But that's all a part of football. The Carolina Panthers will move on. We're going to do good."

Kemoeatu is scheduled for surgery today, but remains hopeful that "maybe I'll make it back for the last month of the season."

Kemoeatu hasn't been placed on injured reserve, and coach John Fox said the Panthers will consider holding a roster spot for him.