SAN JOSE, Calif. _ Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson didn't need to see the Seattle Seahawks' injury report to know Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is back to his old running ways.
"He still looks the same to me. He's still looks elusive to me. He's still probably the best running back on their team," Johnson said this week. "We've got a big challenge ahead of us."
With the Panthers (4-7) preparing to face the Seahawks (7-3-1) on Sunday, this week marks the first time since Wilson hurt his ankle in Week 1 that Wilson hasn't appeared on the injury report.
Since then he's fought through knee and pectoral injuries, all of which combined to limit Wilson's scrambling and running abilities through the first nine games.
But the former N.C. State standout had eight carries in each of the past two games, finishing with a season-high 80 rushing yards last week in a 14-5 loss at Tampa Bay. It was Wilson's most prolific rushing game since Week 16 in 2014.
"He's good, man. He doesn't quit. He's going to find a way," Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short said. "And that's our job as a defensive line to take that way that he's trying to find away."
Wilson holds the top 11 rushing performances by a quarterback in Seahawks history, including four 100-yard games. Wilson's ability to dart out of trouble, extend plays and find receivers is part of the reason he boasts a career passer rating of 100.4.
Only Aaron Rodgers (102.9) and Drew Brees (101.1) have higher ratings since Wilson entered the league in 2012.
Wilson is 3-1 with a 93.8 passer rating in four regular-season games against Carolina the past four years. The Panthers have limited him to four passing touchdowns, with three interceptions.
Wilson has only rushed for more than 35 yards once in seven career meetings (including playoffs) against the Panthers _ an eight-carry, 53-yard outing last October in a 27-23 Seahawks loss in Seattle.
It was the first of two Panthers' victories against Seattle _ including a 31-24 decision in the divisional round _ after Wilson had beaten them in his first four tries.
