6 short nuggets from Monday

SHORT-STAFFED RUNNING BACKS

The Carolina Panthers were hoping to give RB Jonathan Stewart four full weeks to recover from his foot sprain. Now their hand may be forced.

Fozzy Whittaker suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, and he’s out until at least the Divisional Round. That leaves the Panthers potentially short-handed for the season finale against the Bucs, and with home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs still up for grabs, coach Ron Rivera on Monday admitted getting Stewart back out there sooner rather than later is tempting.

If Stewart doesn’t return this week, preseason all-star Brandon Wegher will be active for the first time in his career and Cameron Artis-Payne will get more work. The rookie looked good Sunday, gaining 49 yards on five carries, but only one of those came in the second half.

The Panthers didn’t necessarily abandon the run in the final two quarters, they just didn’t have many chances. Because their defense struggled to get off the field while the offense failed to sustain drives when it did actually have the ball, Carolina’s time of possession in the second half was a paltry 8:38.

Whittaker’s injury will also force the Panthers to plug in a new kickoff returner. Rivera mentioned WR Ted Ginn, CB Robert McClain, Wegher and Artis-Payne as possible fill-ins.