Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart is expected to get his first preseason playing time with the Panthers' first-team offensive line in Saturday's home exhibition against Washington.
Coach John Fox said after practice Wednesday that it's likely he'll get Stewart some carries with the starting unit. Stewart played only with the second team offensive line in his exhibition debut last Thursday at Philadelphia, when he rushed for 3 yards on four carries in the third period.
DeAngelo Williams has gotten the bulk of the playing time with the starters so far, but is expected to split carries with Stewart this season.
Stewart, a first-round pick, has been brought along slowly during training camp and the preseason because of soreness in his right big toe, which underwent surgery in March.
Defensive tackle Scott cut
The Carolina Panthers' lack of quality, experienced depth at the defensive tackle position became more glaring Wednesday when the team announced it had released veteran Ian Scott with an injury settlement.
Scott, who had 33 starts with Chicago, suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee during training camp. He wasn't expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
“He did everything right,” Fox said of Scott. “He's a guy we liked. It's very unfortunate.
“We treated him fairly and there's nothing he did wrong. He did a fantastic job for us.”
The Panthers have the option of re-signing Scott after the ninth regular season game if he's healthy and available at that time.
The only veteran defensive tackle remaining to back up starters Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis is Darwin Walker. The Panthers also have been encouraged by the preseason performances of Gary Gibson, rookie Nick Hayden and Stephen Williams. However, Hayden and Williams, in particular, are likely playing for a spot on the regular-season roster in the final two exhibitions.
The Panthers could try to add a defensive tackle who gets cut by another team on or around Aug.31.
“We watch every position,” Fox said. “You're always looking to improve your football team.”
Briefly
The only players who didn't practice with the team Wednesday because of injuries were strong safety Chris Harris and receivers Muhsin Muhammad (ribs), D.J. Hackett (toe) and Ryne Robinson (knee).
Fox said he hopes most of them will be ready for practice Monday.
The Panthers are required to make five cuts by Tuesday, trimming the roster from 80-75, then must cut down to 53 by Aug.31.
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