Panthers sign workhorse RB Stewart to 1-year extension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers announced Friday that they have signed running back Jonathan Stewart to a 1-year extension.

The former first-round pick is entering his 10th NFL season, and is now under contract through 2018.

The Panthers’ lead back rushed for 824 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games last season. Stewart was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2015 after rushing for 989 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games.

Despite not starting a game in 2008, Stewart set team rookie records for rushing attempts (184), rushing yards (836), average rushing gain (4.5) and rushing touchdowns (10). His second NFL season was his most productive, racking up a career-high 1,133 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores.

In the past two seasons, Stewart's 15 rushing touchdowns are tied for eighth in the NFL and his 1,813 rushing yards rank 12^th.

In 2009, Stewart was part of NFL history when he rushed for 1,133 yards, pairing with running back DeAngelo Williams, who totaled 1,117 yards, to become the first set of teammates in NFL history to each rush for more than 1,100 yards in the same year.

Stewart ranks first in team history with 1,501 rushing attempts and stands second with 6,638 rushing yards, a 4.42-yard rushing average and 14 games with 100 or more rushing yards. His 45 rushing touchdowns and 51 total touchdowns (45 rushing, six receiving) rank third in franchise history.

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