CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jon Beason apologized yesterday for calling out Carolina teammate Julius Peppers for his lack of production last week, even after the Panthers responded with their first win.

"After what happened, I realized I was wrong," Beason said on radio station WFNZ. "There are certain things you shouldn't say in public, certain things that should remain in-house. That's where I made my mistake."

After avoiding reporters in the locker room for nearly a week, the Pro Bowl linebacker said in his paid radio appearance that he never talked to Peppers after saying on the same station last week that "I'm going to have a conversation with that guy."

Peppers, a four-time Pro Bowl choice making an NFL-high $16.7 million salary this season, had just one sack and 10 tackles in Carolina's 0-3 start. Beason last week said a teammate called him after Minnesota's Jared Allen got 41/2 sacks in a Monday night game, and Beason vowed to tell Peppers that "I need everything you've got."

The Panthers then beat Washington 20-17 Sunday for their first victory of the season. Peppers had two sacks and made a key play to force a safety. Beason added a team-high 10 tackles, but the team's best defensive effort of the season apparently wasn't the result of any conversation.

"After I got a lot of negative pub from it, I decided not to even talk to him," Beason said.

Peppers, who rarely speaks to reporters, has declined interview requests since the incident. But Beason's teammates said yesterday that Beason shouldn't have discussed the issue publicly.

"We all know there are certain things not to talk about, but when you're put in a situation and especially when you're 0-3 at that time, that's a sensitive subject to a lot of people," linebacker Na'il Diggs said. "Unfortunately, he made a couple quotes I'm sure he would take back. ... Nobody is holding anything against him."

Beason, Carolina's first-round pick in 2007, has led the team in tackles in each of the past two seasons. He's been known for a fiery attitude and was voted a defensive captain by his teammates.

"Jon is a good person," defensive tackle Damione Lewis said. "He really cares about the team and cares how we perform and cares how each individual performs, which he should being a leader and the heartbeat of our defense. That's his role. I totally understand where he was coming from, but it could have been handled in a different manner."

BROWNS

Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers missed his second straight day of practice yesterday due to a non-injury related absence.

Rogers has been excused from the team to attend to a family matter. The team expects him to return today and to play in Sunday's game at Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-4, 350-pounder is Cleveland's top defensive lineman. He was credited with four tackles last week in a win over Buffalo. One week earlier, Rogers blocked a field-goal attempt and extra-point kick as the Browns forced the Bengals into overtime before losing.

LIONS

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been held out of practice for the third time in four days, leaving his availability in question for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

The No. 1 overall draft choice suffered a knee injury in Detroit's Oct. 4 loss at Chicago and sat out last weekend's game against Pittsburgh. Daunte Culpepper had 282 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception in the Lions' 28-20 loss.

Coach Jim Schwartz said yesterday that he would let the Lions' injury report "handle where we are with the quarterback."

RAIDERS

Oakland wide receiver Chaz Schilens practiced without pain for a second straight day but is still likely a week away from returning to the Raiders lineup.

Schilens suffered a broken ankle during a training camp scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 18. The Raiders are listing Schilens as questionable to play this week against Philadelphia.

Oakland coach Tom Cable said the team will continue to start rookies Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy and will activate veteran Javon Walker to add depth at receiver.

STEELERS

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has missed practice with flu-like symptoms, allowing Willie Parker to get more carries with the starters as he returns from a two-week layoff with a toe injury.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says whether Mendenhall or Parker will get the majority of the carries Sunday against Cleveland likely won't be decided until game time.

Mendenhall, a first-round draft pick last year, ran for 165 yards against San Diego and 77 against Detroit after Parker injured his left big toe Sept. 27 against Cincinnati.

VIKINGS

Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin has returned to practice.

Harvin worked out yesterday on a limited basis, after being held out Wednesday. He hurt his left shoulder Sunday at St. Louis. Coach Brad Childress says Harvin is continuing to move around on the field and work through his injury.

Punt returner Darius Reynaud also practiced on a limited basis, continuing his comeback from a left hamstring strain.