Stewart (undisclosed) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

The 28-year-old may be receiving a maintenance day, but head coach Ron Rivera should reveal the reason for Stewart's absence in short order. In Week 1 at Jacksonville, Stewart toted the rock 18 times for 56 yards, which he supplemented with four receptions (on four targets) for 25 yards.

Stewart ran the ball 18 times for 56 yards in Sunday's win over the Jaguars. He also added four receptions on four targets for an additional 25 yards.

Despite the lack of big yardage production, Stewart's 22 touches were the most by far out of the Carolina backfield as he began the post-DeAngelo Williams portion of his career. The involvement in the passing game was encouraging, as the four receptions matched Stewart's single-game high from 2014, and he will continue to play a large role in the Panthers' offense as they take on Houston at home next week.

Stewart ran for 12 yards on seven carries in Friday's preseason game against New England.

Other than an 11-yard scamper, Stewart found very little room to run, even getting stuffed on a 4th-and-1 at one point. After sitting out the preseason opener, Stewart has steadily seen his workload increase. He's healthy heading into the regular season, and should be in store for a heavy volume, with DeAngelo Williams now playing in Pittsburgh.

Stewart did not play in Friday's preseason opener against the Bills.

Stewart was a healthy scratch, which allowed the Panthers to get a longer look at the candidates for backup roles. Given his lengthy injury history and the uncertainty on the depth chart behind him, Stewart probably won't get many touches this preseason. The team would ideally like to limit his workload, but he may still have a three-down role.

Stewart is expected to command the bulk of the Panthers' rushing attempts this season, but Carolina coach Ron Rivera maintains interest in continuing a two-back system, ESPN.com reports.

Stewart has split touches with DeAngelo Williams in recent seasons, but with the Panthers releasing Williams this offseason, Stewart is clearly Carolina's top running back heading into the upcoming campaign. Nonetheless, at the NFL owners meeting last week, coach Rivera projected an ideal situation in which Stewart receives around 15 carries per game, while another rusher gets 8-10 attempts. In doing so, the Panthers would hope to keep their ball-carriers fresh throughout the season, thus benefitting Stewart's durability. At the moment, Fozzy Whittaker and recent signing Jordan Todman appear to be the primary candidates to spell Stewart this season, but the Panthers could very well add another running back during next month's draft as well.

Stewart finished this season with 175 carries for 809 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and also caught 25 passes (on 31 targets) for 181 receiving yards and another score.

Stewart suffered a knee injury during Week 3, when it seemed like the veteran running back was destined for another injury-riddled. However, following a three-game absence, Stewart returned in Week 7 and reminded fantasy owners of his intriguing talents over the Panthers' remaining games. In fact, Stewart cracked the 75-yard mark in half of his final 10 regular season games, including a 155-yard outburst during Week 14 in New Orleans, followed by a 122-yard performance two weeks later against the Browns. Overall, the 27-year-old's 809 rushing yards marked his highest total since 2009 and Stewart's 13 regular season games plus two playoff appearances matched his combined total of 15 games played over the previous two seasons. In doing so, a healthy Stewart's fantasy value certainly benefitted from long-time running mate DeAngelo Williams playing merely six games this season due to injury. With Williams' future in Carolina uncertain, Stewart carries significant momentum as the Panthers' starting running back next season, when his draft stock figures to be higher than in recent years past.

Stewart rushed for 70 yards on 13 carries and hauled in his lone target in the passing game for four yards in Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Seahawks.

Stewart was able to find some room against Seattle's third-ranked run defense, certainly more than Cam Newton, who totaled just 37 yards on his 11 totes. It marked the fifth time Stewart averaged better than five yards per carry in his final seven games. He's re-established himself as a legitimate fantasy option heading into 2015.

Stewart ran for 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against Arizona on Saturday.

Although the Arizona run defense has not played all that well lately, this was still a very impressive performance by Stewart. He ran with explosiveness and balance, as well as a great deal of power. DeAngelo Williams (hand) got nowhere near Stewart's workload -- Williams actually was the third runner behind Fozzy Whittaker. Whittaker, meanwhile, stole just one carry and one catch. Stewart should hold on to a big workload for the foreseeable future and, as long as Cam Newton is on the field, defenses will probably struggle to devise alignments that fully contain the range of rushing threats posed by Stewart and Newton on any given play.

Stewart is expected to start and get the majority of carries in Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Cardinals, the Charlotte Observer reports.

DeAngelo Williams (hand) is expected to play for the first time since Week 13, but Stewart easily had the better season, highlighted by a strong finish. Williams thus figures to work in a complementary role, as opposed to the 50-50 split we've seen in previous seasons.

Stewart had 13 carries for 49 yards and caught 2-of-2 targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 34-3 win at Atlanta.

Stewart surprisingly struggled to find much room against a weak defense, but he wasn't needed much, as the Panthers dominated from the onset. He might have a tough time finding room to run next week too, facing a stout Cardinals' rush defense in the first round of the playoffs, but he should see plenty of work, whether DeAngelo Williams (hand) is available or not.

With DeAngelo Williams (hand) inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Stewart will start and get the majority of the carries.

Stewart was going to start anyway, but the fact that Williams is inactive means that owners won't have to worry about the lingering threat of him stealing carries. The Falcons aren't very good at stopping the run and are especially bad at giving up rushing touchdowns. Stewart should receive plenty of carries to take advantage.

While fellow running back DeAngelo Williams (hand) is listed as probable for Week 17, head coach Ron Rivera is still planning to lean heavily on Stewart, Steve Reed of The Associated Press reports.

Williams' return could potentially cut into Stewart's workload, but Williams is not 100 percent just yet, and Stewart has ran well over the last four weeks, so it appears he is still likely to receive the bulk of the carries in Sunday's game against an Atlanta team that has given up a league-high 20 rushing touchdowns.

Stewart had 24 carries for 122 rushing yards and two catches on four targets for seven receiving yards and a touchdown during Sunday's win over the Browns.

Starting again in place of the injured DeAngelo Williams (hand), Stewart made a strong case to keep the job in Week 17 against the Saints, when Williams is expected to return, rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown for the second time in the last three games. The winner of next weekend's game will take home the NFC South title, and Stewart could be heavily used against a Falcons defense that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the league this season.

DeAngelo Williams (hand) will likely miss Sunday's game against Cleveland, leaving Stewart in a workhorse role again, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Stewart is a strong on-paper RB2 start this week, as he should have a significant workload against a below average run defense. It also helps that Cam Newton (back) will return to the field, which should open up the middle of field for Stewart as the defense accounts for Newton's ability to break outside containment as a runner.

Stewart (hip) had 22 carries for 73 rushing yards and one catch on one target for six receiving yards Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Starting in place of the injured DeAngelo Williams (hand), Stewart dominated the backfield touches, ceding two carries to Fozzy Whittaker and two to Mike Tolbert. Williams has a decent chance to return in Week 16, though with the way he's playing, Stewart could continue to get enough touches against a Browns defense allowing the second-most rushing yards per game this season.

Stewart (hip) is active and will start Sunday against the Buccaneers.

With both Cam Newton (back) and DeAngelo Williams (hand) inactive, look for the Panthers to rely heavily on Stewart as they attempt to establish the run against the league's 20th-ranked rush defense.

Coach Ron Rivera said Friday that Stewart (hip) will start Sunday against the Buccaneers, the Associated Press' Steve Reed reports.

DeAngelo Williams (hand) is listed as doubtful, leaving just Stewart -- fresh off last week's big game -- and Fozzy Whittaker as the only healthy running backs. With little competition for carries, Stewart makes for an appealing play Sunday against Tampa's lackluster run defense.

Stewart (hip) practiced in full Thursday.

After a limited showing Wednesday, Stewart quelled any questions regarding his health with an unhinged practice just one day later. With the news that DeAngelo Williams (hand) likely needs another week before playing in a game, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, Stewart could again be the main man out of the Panthers' backfield in Week 15, which provides a prime matchup against a Buccaneers defense that has allowed 4.1 YPC and four rushing touchdowns to running backs in the past five contests.

Stewart (hip) was limited in practice Wednesday.

After receiving a season-high 20 carries in Week 14, Stewart has picked up a hip concern. However, he was still able to participate in individual drills, which indicates the lesser nature of the ailment. Friday's injury report should ultimately confirm, or deny, a second consecutive start in advance of Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers.

Stewart (undisclosed) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

The reason for Stewart's capped practice should reveal itself in due time, but after rumbling for 155 yards on 20 carries Sunday at New Orleans, the veteran back may be receiving a day off for maintenance purposes. Meanwhile, DeAngelo Williams (finger) didn't take the practice field, which combined with Cam Newton's (back) car accident Tuesday could result in a significant workload in Week 15 against the Buccaneers.