The engine has been revved at times this season, but the Carolina Panthers have yet to get their running game fully motorized.

They rank 19th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (109.2) and 27th in yards per carry (3.6).

That's less than you'd expect from a team that devoted its offseason to having a more physical, run-capable offense.

For coach John Fox, however, those statistics aren't the numbers that matter.

“It's a 4-2 running game,” Fox said, alluding to the Panthers' won-lost record. “It's not bad. It's not a 2-4 running game. It's not an 0-6 running game. Like any area of our football team, we have not arrived yet.”

Injuries Up Front

The Panthers haven't played a full half with their starting offensive line intact. The only starter who has started and played every game is right guard Keydrick Vincent.

Left guard Travelle Wharton (knee) and right tackle Jeff Otah (ankle) each have missed two games. Left tackle Jordan Gross missed one game and almost all of another because of a concussion, and center Ryan Kalil (ankle) has missed a start.

“I don't think that's helped matters,” said Fox. “But then again, you know what they say about excuses. It's not an excuse. It's a reality.”

Yards-Per-Rush Low

Only five NFL teams have a lower yards-per-rush average than the Panthers' 3.6. It's a full half yard off the league per-carry average of 4.1. The team isn't alarmed, however.

“I don't get into numbers,” said Vincent. “As long as we're winning games and as long as we're doing our job up front, that's the only thing I can worry about.”

Long Runs = Higher Average

Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart each have had moments when they've shined, but neither has had a run of more than 32 yards.

They've combined for five runs of 20 yards or longer – better than the league average of 3.5 such runs per team – but haven't yet had an extra-long run.

Quarterback Jake Delhomme noted that one of the reasons Tampa Bay, last week's opponent, sports a 4.9 yards-per-carry average is because the Bucs have broken off some long runs.

Actually, the Bucs have the same number of runs of 20 or more yards as the Panthers, but their longest was a 68-yarder by Earnest Graham.