Charlotte, NC (Betting Express) - Carolina Panthers linebacker Mark Fields practiced with his teammates on Monday, returning to the field for the first time since being diagnosed with Hodgkins disease back in August.

Fields, who missed the entire 2003 campaign, was cleared by doctors to practice and began working in team drills with the starting defense.

The 31-year-old Fields worked along with Sam Mills, the Panthers' linebackers coach who was diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall.

Fields said he expects to practice through the remainder of training camp and hopes to be ready for Carolina's season-opener against Green Bay on September 13.

The nine-year pro learned of his condition after he entered the hospital with a thumb infection. Carolina's medical staff conducted tests to further investigate the nature of the infection. At that time, the possibility of Hodgkin's disease was revealed and further tests confirmed the diagnosis.

Fields, a former Washington State standout, signed as a free agent with Carolina during the 2002 offseason and matched his career high with 15 starts at strongside linebacker that year. Fields totaled 127 tackles and forced a team-record seven fumbles during the 2002 campaign. He also had 7 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.