Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is having a precautionary MRI on Monday, according to ESPN's David Newton.
Jonathan Stewart will receive MRI Monday, but is ‘fine,’ per report; remains fantasy RB2
The Panthers will have their starting running back undergo an MRI on Monday. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Stewart had been deemed "fine" by head coach Ron Rivera after Sunday's blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons. With the game being well out of reach for the Falcons, and with the Panthers needing to shift their focus to securing home-field advantage, it makes perfect sense for Rivera to give his starters extra rest during meaningless snaps. Greg Olsen was also sidelined due to a minor injury, and Cam Newton was kept out as a precaution as well.
Fantasy impact: Stewart's MRI isn't likely anything for fantasy owners to worry about. However, the Panthers might actually be "too good" for fantasy football at this stage of the year. With the Panthers already securing a first-round bye at 13-0, it is possible that a win and an Arizona Cardinals loss in Week 15 will cause the team to rest its starters during the week of fantasy football championships.
It is a bizarre scenario that fantasy owners will need to consider as the season winds down, but for now, it appears that Stewart is safe to roll as a high-end RB2 against the New York Giants on Sunday. Week 16, however, could be a different story entirely, and fantasy owners may need to deploy backup plans when that time comes.
