Of the three Panthers running backs that practiced Wednesday, only one has had a carry in an NFL game. At least he’s the team’s all-time leading rusher.
DeAngelo Williams, who was held out of the last two games with a hamstring injury, returned to a full practice for the first time in two weeks. The only other backs with him were undrafted rookie Darrin Reaves, and Lache Seastrunk, who was added to the practice squad last week.
No. 2 back Jonathan Stewart, who sprained his knee in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh, was not at practice. Neither was fullback Mike Tolbert. He was placed on the injured reserve/designated to return list on Tuesday after he suffered a hairline fracture in his left leg against the Steelers.
Despite the lack of backfield bodies, quarterback Cam Newton is trying to keep spirits up.
“Don’t sound so demoralizing,” Newton responded when he was asked about Stewart and Tolbert’s injuries. “(Reaves) is ready. We’ve got DeAngelo coming back. I’m excited. You’re not going to get this woe-is-me attitude. This person is hurt, that person is hurt … that’s a losing attitude.”
Along with Williams, receiver Jerricho Cotchery rejoined the offense after he missed Sunday’s game against his former team with a sore hamstring.
As expected, linebacker Thomas Davis did not out practice. He’s on the injury report for the second straight week with a hip, even though it appeared he grabbed his left hamstring chasing down Steelers’s running back LeGarrette Blount. Davis will be re-evaluated Friday, but he will likely miss this week’s game in Baltimore.
Other Panthers who didn’t practice Wednesday:
- RB Fozzy Whittaker (quad) — still week-to-week
- T Garry Williams (back) — had been dealing with a hip injury
- CB Charles Godfrey (ankle) — tweaked his ankle on Sunday
- S Roman Harper (knee) — troublesome knee was sore on Monday