Updated

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Carolina defensive tackle Kawann Short returned to practice as the Panthers opened the ''mandatory'' phase of minicamp.

Short skipped the previous two weeks of voluntary OTAs while awaiting a new contract. Short refused comment on his contract situation after practice Tuesday.

He's scheduled to make $1.04 million next season as part of the final year of his rookie deal. The 27-year-old Short outperformed his contract with a breakout 2015 season that included 11 sacks - the most ever by a Panthers defensive tackle - and being selected NFC Defensive Player of the Month twice.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera says it was good to have Short back at practice, saying ''he looked good out here and I think his teammates appreciated having him here.''

Carolina wraps up rookie minicamp on Thursday.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL