Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is expected to return Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Stewart has missed the past three games with a foot injury and faces a tough rush defense in the Seattle Seahawks. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has stated that Stewart is expected to suit up for practice this Wednesday, according to NFL.com reporter Marc Sessler.
Seattle was able to get out of Minnesota with a win after a missed field goal, but the Seahawks know they will have to play much better to get a win against a team that finished with the best record in the NFL at 15-1. The Seahawks rush defense finished as the best team in the NFL in terms of yards per game holding teams to an average of 81.5 rushing yards per game.
Stewart will look to exploit holes in the Seattle's defense, but they may be hard to come by. The Panthers had the second-best rushing attack in the NFL this season, and Stewart led the team with 989 yards and six touchdowns. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton led a comeback victory over the Seahawks back in October, but both teams have clearly improved since then.
The Seahawks reportedly could have Marshawn Lynch back this Sunday, and it would be only fitting see both these teams at full strength in this anticipated playoff matchup. While both running backs are key to each respective team's success, it's truly a matchup of two of the best young quarterbacks in the game facing two incredible defenses.
