Jonathan Stewart won’t play vs. Vikings, could be out longer

The running back rushed for 100 yards when pressed into extra duty because of Jonathan Stewart’s hamstring injury, helping the Panthers in their 46-27 victory against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium.

“If it’s a hamstring, which every indication points to that, it’s going to be at least a week”, Rivera told reporters.

“We’ll see how severe”, Rivera said. “When my number is called, I’m just trying to help produce and get the team a win”.

Stewart suffered the injury midway through the first quarter of this past Sunday’s home opener against San Francisco on a 3-yard loss near midfield and did not return.

Beyond him the Panthers will have to make a move at running back and that will likely be the activation of Cameron Artis-Payne. But Rivera left open the possibility of bringing in a free agent back if Stewart is out for an extended period.

Rivera said the initial indications on Stewart are not good. The Panthers made the Super Bowl on the back of the league’s second-leading rushing attack with Stewart and quarterback Cam Newton running a variety of read-option looks and packages.

Offensive coordinator Mike Shula said if Stewart is out the strategy will be to “mix it up”, sharing carries between Whittaker, Artis-Payne and fullback Mike Tolbert. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of faith in who Cap can be for us”.

Whittaker, who also caught three passes for 31 yards, had the majority of Carolina’s 176 rushing yards while outgaining the entire 49ers’ ground attack.

Editor’s update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Stewart is feeling no ill effects from his ankle injury, and is expected to play.