Panthers DE Frank Alexander ejected

Carolina Panthers reserve defensive end Frank Alexander has been ejected Sunday after throwing a punch at Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Breno Giacomini.

Alexander's mental blunder came late in the second quarter and wiped out a sack for a 13-yard loss by safety Charles Godfrey, giving the Seahawks a first down in Carolina territory.

Luckily for Alexander, Panthers DE Charles Johnson sacked Russell Wilson a few plays later at the Carolina 12 and recovered a fumble to preserve Carolina's 7-3 lead entering the half.

Wide receiver Steve Smith chewed out Alexander, a second-year player, on the sideline before Alexander headed for the locker room.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org