The Carolina Panthers are expected to have lead running back Jonathan Stewart on the field Sunday in the NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL reporter Dan Hanzus. Stewart suffered an ankle injury in the second half of their win over the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round of the playoffs. Stewart did not practice on Wednesday.
The Panthers are taking it slow with their lead back, as he missed the five previous weeks prior to this past weekend's game with a foot injury. "We're just going to ease him back into action," said Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, via NFL Network.
Stewart was dominant against the Seahawks this past Sunday rushing for 106 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The Panthers running back was the only runner in the NFL to rush over 100 yards against the Seahawks. He will look to find holes in the Cardinals defense on Championship Sunday.
Stewart led the Panthers with 989 rushing yards this season and scored six touchdowns. While the Panthers look to get their star running back on the field for the playoffs, Carolina may be without defensive end Jared Allen as he is listed as doubtful with a fractured foot.
Carolina is looking to make the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2003 regular season, and Stewart has been vital to their success on the field this season. The Panthers and Cardinals finished as the top two scoring offenses in the NFL this season, but don't count out their defenses either as they both finished in the top 10 in terms of yards allowed per game.
