Carolina Panthers rookie DT Vernon Butler returns to practice Tuesday

It appears the hand injury that held Carolina Panthers rookie Vernon Butler out of part of Monday’s practice isn’t serious.

Black and Blue Review reports Butler returned to practice Tuesday without any noticeable wrap on his hand. The defensive tackle out of Louisiana Tech looks to be just fine.

Butler was taken 31st overall by the Panthers in last April’s NFL draft and the 325-pound lineman should play an important depth role on an already fearsome front seven. He was listed behind Kawaan Short as a backup defensive tackle on the team’s latest depth chart, but could see the field quite a bit as a rookie.

The defending NFC champions are hopeful Butler can develop into another run-stuffer for a unit that ranked fourth against the run last season and finished sixth in the league with 44 sacks during their Super Bowl run.

The preliminary injury reports this week should verify whether Butler will be good to go for Carolina’s season opener against the Denver Broncos.