"It wasn't much to look at, but this time of year, seeing Jonathan Stewart do anything was a surprise.

The Carolina Panthers running back ran a few sets of sideline-to-sideline sprints as practice wrapped up. Coupled with jogging between some tackling dummies earlier in the morning, it marked the most work Stewart's done during a June workout since he was drafted.

The talented running back hasn't missed a game as a pro, but he's yet to take his first snap in either a minicamp or organized team activity since he's been here. After he rushed for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, that's a trade the Panthers will make, but it appears he's getting closer to being an every-day player.

Stewart had surgery this offseason to remove some bone spurs that were pressing on his left Achilles tendon, an innocuous-sounding problem that caused considerable pain for him and consternation for the team. They managed his practice reps carefully because they didn't want to waste his availability on some Wednesday in the fall."