David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

No more greasy foods for Curtis Samuel in comeback from ankle injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel lived across the street from a Wendy’s during his last season at Ohio State.

He ate there a lot.

Maybe too much.

Not that Samuel was out of shape. He was the fastest player on the team. He would have had the fastest 40 time (4.31 seconds) at the 2017 NFL combine if it weren’t for Washington wide receiver John Ross, whose 4.22 seconds broke the event record.

But after battling hamstring injuries last offseason and having his rookie season with the Panthers cut short by season-ending ankle surgery to repair bone and cartilage damage, Samuel isn’t taking chances with anything.

Including his diet.

"I’m just staying off greasy foods," Samuel said on Monday as the Panthers began the voluntary portion of offseason workouts. “No more fast foods. Adding a daily massage to my schedule.

"I just know my diet was pretty bad. No more fried foods."

Now Samuel has a diet of grilled meat and vegetables. He’s traded French fries in for asparagus. It seems boring at times, "but my body is important to me," he said.

The most immediate concern for Samuel is getting his ankle back to normal so he’ll be ready for training camp, ready to be the slot receiver the Panthers hoped he would be a year ago when they selected him in the second round of the draft.

Being able to work out with teammates on Monday was a good first step. He’s still a ways from being cleared to make cuts and he has no timetable for when he’ll be fully cleared.

"I was excited to be out there the first day, to be able to participate in everything with those guys and not be isolated," Samuel said.

While most of his teammates have been vacationing and spending time with family, Samuel has been rehabbing at Bank of America Stadium. This is an important year for him. He doesn’t want to be the forgotten player as the Panthers overhaul their receiving corps from a year ago.

"I’ve just got to go out and make some plays," Samuel said. "Once you make some plays, everybody will remember you."

Samuel’s most memorable game last year was his ninth. He had five catches on seven targets for 45 yards in the first half of a Monday night win against Miami. He was ready to make an even bigger impact in the second half, feeling the rhythm of a game for really the first time since college. Then early in the fourth quarter, a pass from quarterback Cam Newton hit him in the chest for what could have been his first NFL touchdown. As he bobbled the ball, the Miami defender dove in and rolled on Samuel’s ankle.

He tried to walk it off, but quickly went back down.

"I couldn’t put any pressure on my ankle, so I knew it was something serious," Samuel said. "I had no clue what happened. It just sucked."

Samuel was expected to make an impact as the slot receiver/running back like first-round pick Christian McCaffrey made as a running back/slot receiver.

It never happened.

McCaffrey had 435 yards rushing and two touchdowns while catching a team-high 80 passes for 651 yards and five touchdowns. Samuel had 15 catches for 115 yards and no touchdowns.

The Panthers signed Jarius Wright in free agency as insurance if Samuel’s recovery takes longer than expected. They also are looking at players in the draft that potentially could play slot.

Samuel still believes he’ll be the factor that he wasn’t a year ago.

"It’s all on me to take care of myself and show them what I can do," Samuel said. "Last year was just a learning experience. Now I know to take care of my body a little bit more. Do the things outside when I leave the facility, like eating properly."

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