Banged-up Stewart should be fine for Sunday

By Darin Gantt` - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers might not be completely healthy in the backfield when they play New Orleans, but at least they will be closer.

Running back Jonathan Stewart was back on the practice field Friday, giving them at least one of their regulars. Stewart practiced fully and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, though he should be fine. He has taken Wednesdays off throughout the season and had an extra day off this week after his 206-yard outburst against the Giants last week.

DeAngelo Williams (ankle) and Tyrell Sutton (ankle) were held out of Friday's practice — they have missed all week — and are listed as doubtful for the Saints game.

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Assuming they don't play, the Panthers would be left with Stewart, Mike Goodson and fullbacks Brad Hoover and Tony Fiammetta in the backfield.

Other than Williams and Sutton, the Panthers should be as intact as a team with 12 on injured reserve can be.

Cornerback Richard Marshall (ankle), wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (ankle), right tackle Geoff Schwartz (groin) and quarterback Matt Moore (rib) are listed as questionable, but all four practiced fully Friday.

As for the Saints, they will be without running back Pierre Thomas (ribs), wideout Lance Moore (ankle) and safety Usama Young (sports hernia). Linebacker Scott Shanle (concussion) and tight end David Thomas (calf) were listed as doubtful.

Five players were listed as questionable, including linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Bobby McCray, who didn't practice Friday.

Cornerback Jabari Greer is listed as probable after missing the previous seven games with a sports hernia.

ROSTER MOVE — The Panthers finally made their roster move Friday, placing wide receiver Steve Smith on injured reserve, five days after he broke his left arm against the Giants.

The Panthers waited a few days to check on the health of other players before filling his spot, making sure they had sufficient running backs to cover themselves this weekend.

With Stewart back on the field Friday, they were safe to promote one of the youngsters they've had their eye on for some time, linebacker Mortty Ivy.

The undrafted rookie from West Virginia impressed in training camp with his speed, and they think he has potential to be at least a special-teamer.

While the move might not seem like much on the surface, it makes a huge difference for Ivy.

Instead of his practice squad paycheck of $5,200 this week, he'll get a bump to the one-week portion of the rookie minimum — or $18,235.

Not a bad Christmas bonus.

EXTRA POINTS — For the last practice of the year, Panthers coach John Fox threw his players a bone, letting them work without pads or helmets. They haven't worn full pads for an entire practice in months but have generally worn helmets. It was the second straight Friday without them, as Fox let them go in caps for their Christmas Day practice.

Of course, that day they worked inside the stadium concourse, considering the driving rains that covered the region last weekend.