Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart still hurting, but says he will be ready for camp

June 17, 7:00 PMCarolina Panthers ExaminerRuben James

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The duo celebrating after a touchdown.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina’s first round pick in 2008, is taking some heat from teammates about practice.

"You're going to take some teasing. They're out there busting their butt with me just sitting on the sideline for the second year in a row," Stewart said moments after the Panthers concluded voluntary workouts this week. "I'm really taking the heat for that."

Last year (rookie year) Stewart did not practice because he had toe surgery in the offseason. If he plays like he did last year this could be a good thing. He set a franchise rookie record of 836 yards and 10 touchdowns. Paired up with DeAngelo Williams you have the best running back tandem in the NFL.

Because of the toe injury that he had last year and the fact that it would totally never go away has led to his current injury which is pain in his left Achilles tendon. Stewart said that it got worse as he went through offseason conditioning programs with the team earlier this year.

"I was overcompensating from the surgery on my toe," Stewart said. "It just lingered throughout the season. It just kind of flared up, so I'm pretty much staying off of it to just let it heal."

Stewart has been warming the benches for a three day minicamp last month and for all optional workouts this month. However Stewart did some light jogging with the team at the end of practice on Tuesday. He says that he will be more than ready to go when training camp opens on August 2nd.

"I'm going to be up and running when camp starts," Stewart said. "I'll be ready."
The Panthers will need him. While Williams' career year of 1,515 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns captured the spotlight in 2008. With Williams being the speedy back by the time that they were exhausted from chasing him around they would put in Stewart. He was the stocky back that completely switched the style of running. With the opposing defenses worn out he helped Carolina go 12-4 and win the NFC south.

This duo had the most rushing yards by NFL teammates since 1984. Stewart admitted that it is hard for him to focus on anything but the embarrassing33-13 playoff loss to Arizona. When Jake started turning the ball over Carolina fell behind quickly. The Panthers gave up on the running game and tried to shoot it out with Arizona (something that you don’t want to do). When the game was over Stewart had just 12 yards on three carries.

RB Jonathan Stewart said he'll be ready for Panthers training camp on Aug. 2, but will holdout DE Julius Peppers be there? His teammate, LB Jon Beason, thinks so.

With mini-camp now over and six weeks before they report to Spartanburg, S.C. coach John Fox had no problem resting Stewart. The Panthers concern is a difficult 2009 schedule.

"I've seen good progress," Fox said. "What we're most interested in is having him ready for the season. I anticipate that being the case."

In there entire franchise record they have never had back to back winning seasons. Carolina will be relying on the the best running back tandem to change this.

"I don't see why we should lower our expectations from last year," Stewart said. "When our name's called, we just have to play ball. I think me and DeAngelo are capable of much more next year, running the ball and catching the ball."