Carolina Panthers rookie offensive tackle Jeff Otah hasn't practiced with the team yet because of a high-ankle sprain which he's continuing to recover from. Otah, the 19th player chosen in last month's NFL draft, hurt the ankle in preseason camp before his final season at the University of Pittsburgh and played hurt the entire 2007 season. Otah spoke with reporters after Thursday's summer-school practice, when he worked out on his own on the sideline with a Panthers trainer.

Q. How's the ankle feel and when do you think you'll be able to practice? It's feeling really good right now, it's getting better. I'm just doing what the trainers tell me. You always want to be out there with your teammates, working at getting better. But right now the trainers say to let the ankle heal up.

Q. How tough was it to play last season at Pitt, and was the injury severe enough to make you miss any games? It was hard during the season last year, but the trainers at the University of Pittsburgh really helped me out to get me to play games. It never was that close (to missing games), but there were times ... But the team needed me to go out and play, so I had had to suck it up. It never healed up, but I kept on playing.

Q. How well have you been able to pick up plays with the Panthers by just being in meetings and not being able to practice? It all starts in the meeting room, that's where you learn your plays. I'm glad I'm getting an opportunity to learn those plays.

I've learned it's a fast game and you've got to know what you're doing.

Q. The Panthers traded next season's first-round pick to get a chance to draft you in this year's first round. Any pressure on you, knowing they gave up that much? You're always going to feel pressure being a first-round pick. But I don't really feel any pressure. If I was taken in the fifth round, I'd come in here and work my butt off.

Notes

• Coach John Fox said he doesn't have a timetable for Otah's return. "He's improving," Fox said. "It's still a little hot in (the ankle). When the doctors say OK, he'll be out here."

• Second-year receiver Dwayne Jarrett (illness) didn't practice Thursday.

• Who says these offseason training activities (OTAs) can't be fun? Safety Chris Harris returned a long interception for a touchdown, then practiced his end zone celebration as if he were in a stadium full of fans.

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