Miami Dolphins' Daunte Culpepper (8) scrambles for an 8-yard gain during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers in their NFL preseason football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Daunte Culpepper rolled out of the pocket and took off. He ran down the middle of the field for 8 yards and slid before he was hit.

Culpepper was impressive — and far from timid — in his return to the stadium where he tore three knee ligaments on a similar play last season. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 130 yards as his Miami Dolphins lost to the Carolina Panthers 19-10 on Thursday.

"I wanted to show everybody that the injury is not an issue right now," Culpepper said. "I don't worry about getting hit. I'm going to be smart when I run the ball and get down. Sometimes you've got to take a chance, but that wasn't the time for it."

Last October, while with Minnesota, Culpepper was hit by Carolina's Chris Gamble. The quarterback's knee was wrecked, putting his career in jeopardy — and putting into motion the events that led to his trade to Miami.

"I walked up to Chris Gamble and I told him, `Thank you,"' Culpepper said. "If he hadn't hit met, I probably wouldn't be here right now."

While Culpepper was sharp, the Dolphins (1-2) couldn't get into the end zone in the first half. Chris Draft stuffed Ronnie Brown on a fourth-and-goal from the 1, and Thomas Davis made an open-field tackle on Wes Welker to force Olindo Mare's 23-yard field goal.

The Panthers (3-0) won despite being outgained 323 yards to 145, thanks to one big special teams play.

Rookie DeAngelo Williams likely locked up the kickoff return job, returning one 98 yards for a touchdown as Carolina built a 13-3 halftime lead.

Williams, the 27th pick in the draft, fielded the kick, cut to the right, broke a tackle to get to the right sideline and was gone. No Dolphins defender came close to catching the speedy Williams. Coach John Fox met him as he ran off the field, grabbed his helmet and hugged him.