Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (foot) is been ruled out for the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Stewart was unable to participate in practice any day this week and it now appears unlikely that the Panthers will bring him back until the playoffs.
Jonathan Stewart injury update: RB out for Panthers, fantasy owners
The Carolina Panthers running back has been ruled out for Week 16. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Fantasy impact: With Stewart officially out of the mix, Carolina’s backfield projects to be a timeshare of Mike Tolbert, Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzie Whittaker. The capable Tolbert will continue to handle the majority of the goal line carries and Whittaker will see some occasional third down work. But Artis-Payne is the one Carolina back whose worthy of any fantasy consideration. While he didn’t technically get the start last week against the Giants, it was Artis-Payne who ended up seeing the most carries. He finished 14 carries for 59 yards and two receptions for another 34 yards. Owners in need of an RB could do much worse this week as he takes on an Falcons defense that allows the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Artis-Payne is a low-end RB2.
