Charolotte, N.C. ? DeAngelo Williams may not start at running back as a rookie, but he likely secured the Carolina Panthers’ kickoff-return job Thursday night.

Williams returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown in Carolina’s 19-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Williams, the 27th pick in the draft, had been pressing the Panthers’ coaching staff for a chance to return kicks as he plays behind starting running back DeShaun Foster.

Daunte Culpepper was effective for Miami in his return to the stadium where he tore three knee ligaments while playing for Minnesota last season. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 130 yards in one half, but the Dolphins (1-2) couldn’t get into the end zone with him leading the offense.

Williams took advantage in the second quarter. Williams fielded the kick, cut to the right, broke a tackle to get to the right sideline and was gone. No Dolphins defender came close to catching the speedy Williams. Coach John Fox met him as he ran off the field, grabbed his helmet and hugged him.

Williams, who set an NCAA career record by with 7,573 all-purpose yards at Memphis, also made plays as a running back. His stutter-step and quick cut faked out Travares Tillman on the way to a 15-yard gain in the third quarter. It led to John Kasay’s 53-yard field goal that put Carolina (3-0) ahead 16-10.

Williams had nine carries for 41 yards, but Carolina’s first-team offense struggled. Jake Delhomme was just 6-for-15 for 58 yards and failed to lead Carolina to a touchdown in nearly three quarters.

The Panthers, who again played without injured receiver Steve Smith, didn’t pick up a first down until 3:33 left in the second quarter and Delhomme was sacked twice.

Miami's Randy McMichael (81) tries to hurdle Carolina's Mike Minter in the first quarter of the Panthers' 19-10 victory. Carolina won Thursday in Charlotte, N.C.

Culpepper showed quickness and avoided at least two sacks, rushing twice for 11 yards and helping the Dolphins twice get deep into Carolina territory. But Chris Draft stuffed Ronnie Brown on a fourth-and-goal from the one, and Thomas Davis made an open-field tackle on Wes Welker to force Olindo Mare’s 23-yard field goal.

Joey Harrington replaced Culpepper to start the third quarter, and immediately led the Dolphins on a 76-yard touchdown drive, capped by his six-yard pass to Chris Chambers. It was the first touchdown allowed by Carolina’s first-team defense in more than five quarters.

Harrington did little after that, finishing 7-for-14 for 66 yards. Chambers had seven catches for 67 yards, but Brown was held to 27 yards on 13 carries.

The Dolphins defense held the Panthers to 145 yards as Carolina struggled without Smith, whose comeback from a strained left hamstring was derailed this week thanks to an ingrown toenail.

Panthers outside linebacker Nai’l Diggs suffered what appeared to be Carolina’s first significant injury of the preseason. Diggs injured his right knee while playing on the punt team in the first quarter. Diggs was eventually taken into the locker room on a cart and did not return.