The Carolina Panthers are now in game-week mode as they prepare for a home matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The Panthers are favored in the game, but the Seahawks' defense is looking much improved and could be the deciding factor in the game. Injuries will play another big role as the Panthers await the status of Jonathan Stewart heading into the game.
Stewart has not been at practice yet since injuring his foot that caused him to miss the final two games of the regular season. According to the Charlotte Observer, Stewart has deemed himself day-to-day with the injury as he tries to get his conditioning up to speed while being careful of not suffering a setback. With a week until the game, the Panthers have some concern that Stewart could be out again.
According to Jonathan Jones of the Observer, Stewart plans on playing in the divisional game regardless of practice time. The running back who was one of the best in the league all season is a critical part to the Panthers' offense and will be needed against the Seahawks' defense. If for some reason he would be unable to go, Cameron Artis-Payne would likely get the starting nod. The rookie has done a good job substituting for Stewart as he has 152 yards off 33 carries and a touchdown since Stewart got injured.
"The biggest thing we have to be smart about is his conditioning," Rivera said, via the Charlotte Observer. "He's been doing a lot of that as far as that's concerned. We expect to work him back into it this week, and hopefully by next week he'll be ready to roll. Got a lot of confidence in what we got (Sunday) as far as Cameron Artis-Payne is concerned. Again, what we can be as far as our running game, I have a lot of confidence in it."
One thing is certain, the Seahawks defense will be ready for the Panthers. Cornerback Richard Sherman noted that the matchup is always fun while Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin will be zeroed in on stopping Cam Newton. Without Stewart, things could be tough, but the Panthers have shown all season they can get by without marquee players on the field. When the team lost Kelvin Benjamin, they were ruled out as contenders, but instead Devin Funchess and Ted Ginn Jr stepped up to help. Newton has made the most of them this year as tight end Greg Olsen noted that it is time the Panthers stopped being looked down upon because of their roster.
"At some point the narrative that we don't have a lot of good players has to probably come to an end," Olsen said, via ESPN.com. "We've seen throughout the course of the season we have guys that can contribute all over the place. You hear it every week. You heard it this week from one of their [Tampa Bay] guys this year, that other than Cam they don't have a lot of good players."
