Editing Rod Smart (section)

===Carolina Panthers===
In September, [[2002 Carolina Panthers season|2002]], Smart was claimed off waivers by the [[Carolina Panthers]]. He played in all 16 regular season games, and led the Panthers with 24 [[special teams]] [[Tackle (football move)|tackles]]. He produced at least one special teams tackle in 14 games en route to recording the second-highest number of special team tackles in a season in team history.<ref name="Oakland Raiders biography"/>

In [[2003 Carolina Panthers season|2003]], Smart played in all 16 Panthers' games for the second consecutive season. For the first time in a Panthers' uniform, he was utilized as a [[kick returner]], in addition to his special teams coverage duties. He averaged 23.1 yards on 41 kickoff returns for 947 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown against the [[New Orleans Saints]] on October 5, 2003.<ref name="Oakland Raiders biography"/> He finished the Panthers' 2003 season ranked second with 14 special teams tackles and recorded his first career blocked punt. He also rushed for 49 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 11 yards on offense. He contributed to a Panthers' special teams coverage unit that ranked fifth in the NFL in opponents' kickoff return average.<ref name="Oakland Raiders biography"/> In [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]], Smart returned four punts for 74 yards.

Smart's [[2004 Carolina Panthers season|2004 season]] was cut short due to injuries. He played in the first three games of the season for the Panthers, but was inactive for the next four before being placed on [[injured reserve]] with an injured left [[knee]] on November 3, 2004. Despite his limited action in 2004, he averaged 21.1 yards on eight kickoff returns for 169 yards, with the longest return being 33 yards. He also rushed four yards on three carries, and caught one pass for five yards, on offense.<ref name="Oakland Raiders biography"/>

In [[2005 Carolina Panthers season|2005]], Smart returned to the Panthers healthy, played in 12 games, and led the Panthers with 29 kickoff returns for 615 yards (for a 21.2 yard average). He also recorded nine tackles and one fumble recovery for the Panthers' kick coverage unit. After four seasons, Smart was released by the Panthers on March 1, 2006.<ref name="Oakland Raiders biography"/>