"As the goal line approached - and nearing the end of what appeared to be a 48-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field -- Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart felt both his hamstrings begin to cramp up.

Then, Stewart began to slow.

Then, Packers safety Rod Woodson swooped in from behind, tackling Stewart and knocking the ball from his hands.

Luckily for Stewart, Panthers offensive guard Travelle Wharton, who had already made the key block upfield that sprang him, stayed with the play. He pounced on the ball at the Packers 2. Three plays later, quarterback Jake Delhomme scored from 1 yard and the Panthers had a 14-3 lead.

Ultimately, Stewart's cramp and subsequent fumble wasn't a factor in the game, which the Panthers won 35-31.

But, said Stewart, it was a "frustrating" play.

"I thought it was something serious," said Stewart, who would have tied Fred Lane's Panthers' rookie touchdown record of seven had he scored. "I looked up at the last minute at the big (scoreboard) screen and saw the man (Woodson) reaching," said Stewart.

Stewart said he thought the cramp came because he hadn't warmed up enough and hadn't gotten in the game until that carry. Trainers massaged the cramp out of Stewart's hamstring after the play and he returned to the game. He finished with 58 yards rushing (he was credited with 43 on the play he cramped up on)."