CHARLOTTE – On Thursday, the last day of spring practices, linebacker Thomas Davis met with the media for the first time since news broke of his four-game suspension.
"It was definitely something that was unintentional," said Davis, reiterating what he said in a video posted months ago to discuss the banned substance. "Sometimes in life, things happen that are totally out of your control.
"Ultimately, we're responsible for what we put in our bodies as players."
Davis has been his typically jovial, energetic self throughout OTAs and minicamp. But of course there is lingering frustration regarding his punishment to start the season.
"It's tough to potentially be in the last season of my NFL career and be faced with a four-game suspension, but I'm going to take it in stride and take advantage of the time I have out here," Davis said. "You deal with it and keep moving."
Speaking of potentially his final season, Davis made it clear he's "very open" to playing for Carolina beyond 2018.
The 35-year-old, who has one year remaining on his deal, has been a Pro Bowler each of the past three seasons.
"It's important for me to come out each and every day and show that I'm still capable of playing," Davis said. "When you look at the body of work over the OTA and minicamp process, I think that I've proven without a doubt that I can still play this game.
"I'm still out here running around and moving just as fast as any of our young guys. That's kind of how I judge myself."
