When the Panthers started their final stretch of training camp in Spartanburg Sunday, it was almost like they added two new players. Running back Jonathan Stewart returned to practice, and quarterback Cam Newton used his legs for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery in March.

“It’s part of what we’re going through with (Newton), and it was decided we were going to work some zone read with him today,” head coach Ron Rivera said after a practice filled with light rain throughout.

Despite Sunday’s wet conditions, Newton was finally allowed to carry the ball on a few designed runs and a couple scrambles. The Panthers have been understandably conservative with their most-important player this summer. They carefully mapped out the steps along his rehab process, precautions that have included no carries during practices, and a seat on the sidelines during the preseason opener.

“We’re now getting to the point where (Newton’s) workload is going to increase, things are going to change, and we’re going to do things differently now,” Rivera said.

Newton is expected to play in the Panthers second preseason game, next Sunday against the Chiefs. Stewart should also be out there.

The seventh-year back, who suffered a hamstring injury about a week and a half before camp began, looked spry, even working a bit with the ones.

“It’s right about a good time to have him back,” Rivera said.

Because of the unknowns surrounding Stewart, the Panthers held running back DeAngelo Williams out Friday against the Bills. They could each get a decent amount of work next Sunday.

Starters usually play about a half in the second preseason game, and nearly three quarters in the third, but the Panthers will likely reverse that this year. They still have a week to prepare for Kansas City, but they have just four days after that before they play in New England on Aug. 22.

“I’d hate to play a half a game, and all of a sudden — bam — on a short week we’re traveling on Thursday, playing on Friday, and expect the guys to come out and play effectively,” Rivera said.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the starters will play into the third quarter next Sunday.

“If we’ve gotten 40 reps by halftime, probably not,” Rivera explained. “But if we’re in the high 20s, low 30s, then we probably will come out and give them a series or two in the third quarter.”

Other Notes From Sunday:

–Defensive end Kony Ealy is in a walking boot. The rookie has soreness in the middle of his foot after he was rolled up on during a play Friday night.

–Defensive end Charles Johnson said his hamstring is feeling a lot better, and he did some running on the side. He was supposed to work in some cuts, but the wet turf limited him to straight lines.

–Tackle Nate Chandler, who has been dealing with a sore knee, did not practice.

–Wide receiver Philly Brown did not practice because of a tight hamstring.

–Safety Roman Harper remains out with a toe injury.

–Kicker Graham Gano returned to kicking duties after a sore back kept him out Friday.

–Rivera wanted the team to do some more conditioning work Sunday, but the wet conditions ruined those plans. The Panthers will be in pads for their final two Spartanburg practices, and Rivera has “some things planned the next couple days to help us evaluate some of our players.”

–Tight end Richie Brockel took exception with safety Tom Nelson when Nelson slipped on the wet turf and took Brockel out at the knees. Brockel, not realizing Nelson had only lost his footing, threw the ball at Nelson after he got up. Rivera reminded Brockel if he did that in a game, he would be penalized and fined.

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