Jonathan Stewart returned to the starting lineup on Sunday and ran for 92 yards and a touchdown for the Carolina Panthers.
Stewart, who grew in nearby Lacey, got the start over Mike Goodson, who had amassed 400 yards from scrimmage in his previous three starts.
Stewart said he had a number of friends and family members at the game but said he only had to get about a dozen tickets.
“Everybody I’m close with, they’re just good people in general, so they just go out and get their own,” Stewart said. “They’re not expecting anything, so that’s good.”
Stewart didn’t let them down. He seems to be back on track since sitting out two weeks with a concussion, rushing for 190 yards in the last two weeks.
“I think I’ve run fine,” Stewart said. “That’s what they drafted me for, me and Goody (Mike Goodson) and Tyrell Sutton. The offensive line has been doing really well creating lanes for us to run through. That’s what we’re supposed to do.”
Goodson left the game in the second half after injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder on a kickoff return.
“It’s sore right now, but it should be all right, though,” Goodson said. “I hurt it a couple of weeks ago on a kick return the same way. Today, he put his helmet right on it.”
It looks like Jonathan Stewart has took over getting the bulk of carries and this injury to Goodson should only help that. As we all know by now, Stewart has an awesome matchup against Arizona's weak rushing defense in Week 15 which has potential to be a big point-producer.
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