Panthers coach Ron Rivera: Field held up to Belk Bowl well

After N.C. State and Mississippi State played four hours in a steady rain during Wednesday’s Belk Bowl, Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera walked on the Bank of America Stadium field Thursday morning to survey the damage.

Considering the teams had combined for 156 plays, Rivera thought the field held up well.

“I had a chance to go out and look at it and it was a little soggy. But for the most part it looks like it really did withstand it nicely,” Rivera said. “But we’ve still got two days. And the biggest thing is both teams will be playing on the same (turf).”

With no rain in the weekend forecast, Rivera expects the field to dry out before Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. kickoff.

Stewart sits again

Running back Jonathan Stewart, who has been sidelined for two weeks with a sprained foot, was out again Thursday and his status for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay doesn’t look promising.

Stewart ran inside on a treadmill, but Rivera said he’s less optimistic about Stewart’s availability than he was earlier this week.

Rivera is less concerned about linebacker Thomas Davis (illness) and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (knee), neither of whom practiced. Safety Kurt Coleman was limited with a sprained foot.

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Panthers coach Ron Rivera: Field held up to Belk Bowl well."