Only a few days after dirty backup Panthers cornerback Dante Wesley blamed Bucs return specialist Clifton Smith for Wesley’s assault on Smith, knocking him out and knocking him out of the game, Wesley apologized, so reports Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune.

“He explained it just like he had it in the paper,” Smith said. “He was just trying to make a play. It’s understandable. We left it at that.

“He apologized. I accepted his apology. I appreciated it and I’ll see him again.”

Still, Smith was unable to practice yesterday as a result of Wesley’s assault. Wesley was suspended for a game by the NFL for the dirty hit . But the way Joe looks at it, Wesley should not be allowed to return, nor should be paid, until Smith is healthy enough to return.

Just in case anyone missed Wesley’s assault: