Word out of Charlotte is that the Panthers could have both linebacker Jon Beason and running back Jonathan Stewart on the field for next Sunday's regular season opener against the Eagles.
"Absolutely," Beason responded confidently when asked if he'd be ready following the team's preseason finale Thursday against Pittsburgh.
Beason suffered a sprained MCL in Miami two weeks ago, and has been aggressively rehabbing. He said while the other players were taking the weekend off, he planned to be at Bank of America Stadium running, so he'd be in condition to return to practice next week.
Stewart, who along with DeAngelo Williams forms a dynamic one-two punch in the Carolina backfield, is optimistic.
"The timeline is to play against Philadelphia," he said.
Stewart said there's still soreness in his right Achilles, but he was prepared to get back out there this week. According to the article, Stewart has only practiced eight times the entire off-season, while resting and rehabbing on the sidelines.
Stewart finished the 2008 regular season with 10 rushing touchdowns, a Carolina Panthers rookie record. He also added 836 rushing yards on 184 carries, with a 4.5 rushing average.
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 12:23 p.m., Sept. 4
