Panthers' Worrell Injures Knee

Coach Terry Murray said the Panthers do not yet know the extent of the injury to Worrell's right knee or how long he'll miss. He was to spend the weekend off his feet before being reevaluated Monday by orthopedic doctor Jeffrey Minkoff.

``He's very sore and in some pain right now,' Murray said. ``He was very down after the game. It's just unbelievable that this happened for a third time.'

After spraining his left knee during a preseason game against Tampa, Worrell missed the first nine games of the season. He returned to play one game against the New York Islanders, but then sprained his right knee Oct. 29 in Buffalo.

Worrell missed 12 games with that injury before returning Dec. 3. He played 18 games before catching a skate, then getting hit with three minutes to play Friday night against Carolina.

``I feel so bad for Peter,' Murray said. ``This has been just incredible for him to now have the same problem for the third time. Sometimes, it's just not meant to be. I just hope it's nothing that's going to keep him out a long time.'