Panthers RB Stewart in need of rest after season opener

After Sunday’s season opener, the Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart skipped practice Wednesday, and coach John Fox said the second-year back needed to take the day off for his tendon soreness.

Stewart had only taken part in eight practices all year before the start of the regular season and was held out of contact in two of those. But last week he practiced all three days, the Panthers used him as much as starter DeAngelo Williams in last week’s game. Stewart had nine carries at halftime and finished with 35 yards on 11 attempts.

Not only Stewart himself, but also the team feels it necessary to take a good care of Stewart’s Achilles tendon, because the team needs him well to have a better running game and take the pressure off other parts of the offense.