The additional media members waiting outside the Carolina Panthers' practice facility Wednesday were not there to document the arrival of running back Jonathan Stewart.
But Stewart's return from a hamstring injury was nearly as significant at Cam Newton getting back to action after dealing with post-concussion symptoms.
Stewart missed three games and most of another after injuring his hamstring in the first quarter of a Week 2 win at San Francisco.
The Panthers went with a backfield-by-committee approach in Stewart's absence. And while Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker had their moments over the past three weeks, neither has the physicality of the track record (when healthy) of the 5-10, 240-pound Stewart.
"When he's rolling he's as good as there is," tight end Greg Olsen said. "When you watch that second New Orleans game from last year, he was a man on a mission. They could barely tackle him at moments."
Stewart had 21 carries for 81 yards in the win against the Saints last December. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but it's the tough yards Stewart gets that sets him apart from the rest of the Panthers' backs.
"I think Stew is a little bit more of a physical player, sets the tone, which I think is really good for us," head coach Ron Rivera said. "It'd be good to have him back on the football field."
Stewart was limited Wednesday during his first practice in nearly four weeks.
Five players did not participate, including three who sat out Monday's loss to Tampa Bay _ left tackle Michael Oher (concussion), cornerback James Bradberry (toe) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle). Butler and Bradberry were the Panthers' first two picks this year.
Also sidelined were defensive end Charles Johnson (quad) and defensive tackle Paul Soliai, who went for X-rays on his injured foot.
Oher has missed two games while in the concussion protocol. Rivera said he's not sure when Oher sustained the hit that caused the concussion, although he did not report the symptoms until the Friday before a Week 4 loss at Atlanta.
