NFL: Panthers' Steve Smith breaks forearm on touchdown reception in third quarter

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Panthers receiver Steve Smith said Sunday that he won't play next week against New Orleans after breaking his right arm in a 41-9 victory against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium.

Smith, who said he will have surgery on the arm Monday, broke the radius bone in his forearm after catching a 27-yard touchdown pass from Matt Moore early in the third quarter.

Smith caught the ball and was hit by Giants safety Michael Johnson before being hit again and getting into the end zone.

"I knew it was hurt immediately," said Smith, who had five catches for 60 yards. "After I caught the ball, he hit me and I staggered into the end zone. When I got up I could feel it was kind of heavy and it was grinding. So I knew immediately."

Smith finishes the season with 65 catches for 982 yards and seven touchdowns. He said he hopes to be ready when the Panthers begin offseason workouts next spring.