Panthers RB status update: Jonathan Stewart’s injury ‘fine,’ Fozzy Whittaker set to return

The Carolina Panthers got good news about the health of their running backs Monday.

Originally thought to have tweaked his sprained foot, Jonathan Stewart actually hurt his ankle on a play in Sunday’s 31-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks but should be fine this week.

And backup running back Fozzy Whittaker plans to return to practice Wednesday after missing the past three weeks with a high ankle sprain.

“Somebody had rolled onto his ankle. It wasn’t the foot,” Rivera said of Stewart. “The way it was explained to me, it was a little bit sore but he’ll be fine.”

Stewart rushed 19 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle while being rotated out more than the Panthers would have liked.

Whittaker, who scored a 39-yard touchdown against the Cardinals in last year’s playoffs, said he’ll be back on the practice field Wednesday with an eye on playing Arizona following his injury in Week 16 against Atlanta.

“That’s the plan,” Whittaker said. “Just moving forward making sure I don’t have any setbacks and continue my rehab and treatment process. Whenever I’m ready, I’ll be ready.

“I’ll be able to have some fun and get back in the groove of things again.”

 

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Panthers RB status update: Jonathan Stewart’s injury ‘fine,’ Fozzy Whittaker set to return."