Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith was suspended for two games after a public sideline fight with teammate Ken Lucas. (Chuck Burton/Associated Press)

Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith has been suspended by the team for two games after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at Friday's practice.

"What [Smith] did was wrong and we take very serious and he is being punished severely for it," Carolina head coach John Fox said.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will still be permitted to participate in pre-season games and is expected to return to practice on Monday.

The incident occurred on the sidelines of Friday's practice, after both players had taken off their helmets during a break for the team's starters. It's unclear what provoked the attack but the two players have had a history of sparring with each other verbally since Lucas signed with the team in 2005.

Lucas, a veteran cornerback of seven NFL seasons, left the practice field at Wofford College with ice over his eye and suffered a broken nose in the melee, according to Fox.

Lucas has been listed as day-to-day and was not with the team for its practice and Fan Fest on Saturday.

Smith was kicked out of practice following the incident. His suspension will cost him $205,000 US — a small fee for a player who earned more than $10.3 million US last season.

Fox also seemed to issue a stern warning toward Smith.

"He is still ours and he will have conditions," Fox said. "He knows what those are and we will move forward."

Smith will miss Carolina's season opener against the Chargers in San Diego on Sept. 7 as well as the team's home opener the following Sunday against Chicago. He will not face any additional punishment from the league.

With files from the Associated Press