Panthers release Stewart

The Panthers have released RB Jonathan Stewart. He turns 31 in about a month and averaged a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry this past season. If he earns a role elsewhere in 2018, it'll be primarily as a short-yardage and goal-line specialist. Carolina, meanwhile, is left with Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne behind Christian McCaffrey, who averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 117 attempts as a rookie. McCaffrey's rushing volume should grow this coming season, but the Panthers might also add another back behind him.

The Giants have placed RB Jonathan Stewart (foot) on IR. This is just about the end for the 31-year-old. RB Wayne Gallman had already emerged as the handcuff to Saquon Barkley.

The Giants have reached a 2-year agreement with RB Jonathan Stewart. The former Panther fell off to 3.8 and then 3.4 yards per carry over the past 2 years, while catching just 8 passes each season. Stewart is well past his prime and joining an offense that still has O-line questions to answer. It's tough to like him at all in fantasy football. We'll see how early the team drafts backfield competition.

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (back) put in a full practice on Thursday. He was a surprise inactive after his back tightened up last weekend but is on track to play against the Saints on Sunday. Stewart totaled 23 carries for 102 yards (4.4 YPC) in 2 regular-season games vs. New Orleans.

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart is inactive for today's game against the Falcons after his back tightened up on him this morning, according to the team's official website. The report adds that Carolina "will likely split carries" between Christian McCaffrey and Cameron Artis-Payne. McCaffrey will obviously dominate the pass-catching work.

Max Henson of the Panthers' official website expects RB Jonathan Stewart to get the "bulk of the carries this season," despite the addition of 1st-round rookie Christian McCaffrey. Media members throw around predictions like this all the time -- and they shouldn't be taken too stringently. We're still betting on McCaffrey out-carrying Stewart this year, but the important takeaway is that the veteran will remain involved. That figures to be especially true near the goal line, where Stewart scored on 9 of 16 carries from inside the opponent's 5-yard line. There's some best-ball appeal here, especially at his recent 12th-round MFL10 ADP. McCaffrey, meanwhile, should settle into the 200-250 touch range. But he's pricey with an ADP at the 3rd/4th-round turn.