Steve Smith injury: Panthers WR vows to return for playoffs

Stewart missed the first seven games of the regular season after recovering from ankle surgeries, and after playing in six games, tore his MCL and has not yet returned. In those six games, Stewart received 48 carries for 180 yards, ranking second among the team’s running backs with 3.8 yards per carry. He was listed a questionable on the final injury report.

Carolina will have an important piece available, as Steve Smith will return after missing the regular season finale. The veteran has caught 64 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns this season.

The Panthers receiver practiced on Wednesday in full pads, and though his reps were limited, he felt good based on his comments to the media. He joked after practice that his sprained knee was at 71 percent, which explains his reference to that number on Thursday.

• SB Nation’s 2014 NFL playoff coverage and brackets

The latest diagnosis is less bullish than the statement Smith made on his personal Instagram account Sunday night, in which the 34-year-old receiver said “playoffs here I come.” He noted he was running without pain for the first time since sustaining the injury.

• SB Nation’s 2014 NFL playoff coverage and brackets

• SB Nation’s 2014 NFL playoff coverage and brackets

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