Panthers Jonathan Stewart Carted Off Field with Ankle Injury

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was carted off the field right before halftime with an apparent ankle injury. (Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE)

The Carolina Panthers are hoping to build upon a promising first season by Cam Newton, and one of the vital ways that will happen is through a solid, dual back run attack. That attack took a serious blow tonight when running back Jonathan Stewart was carted off the field in New York.

Just before halftime, Stewart took a carry but came up lame after they play, and couldn’t be helped off the field under his own power. Instead the Panthers had to haul their back off on a cart with what appears to be a right ankle injury. No further word on his condition has been given at this time, but the Panthers fear at the very least it’s a bad sprain.

Carolina isn’t thin at running back, but the system of running DeAngelo Williams and Stewart the past few years has proved to be successful.

Mike Tolbert was brought in during the offseason, and he proved to be valuable in San Diego when Ryan Mathews went down with various nicks and bruises during his banged up start to an NFL career.

So it’s not like the Panthers dual back system is going to be scrapped, but Tolbert seemed to be a better goal line back with the Chargers and he’s never rushed for more than 440 yards in his career.

Stewart is the biggest name to go down in what has become a slaughter of a game in terms of injuries. The Jets have lost tight ends Dustin Keller and Josh Baker as well as linebacker David Harris. Baker, like Stewart, suffered a pretty gruesome ankle injury.