When the Panthers take the field against the Buccaneers later this afternoon, they’ll do it without running back Jonathan Stewart.
Stewart just tweeted that he was going to miss the game because of his recent ankle sprain. He didn’t practice last week, and was listed as questionable. He hasn’t worked out since being injured Aug. 26 against the Jets.
“I’ll be helping my team today by cheering them on!” he wrote.
The Panthers are still well-stocked in the backfield, but Stewart’s absence changes things considerably.
DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert are still there to carry the ball, but because their backfield is so top-heavy, they don’t even have another true back on the 53-man roster.