Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
CHARLOTTE ó Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathan Stewart missed his second straight practice Thursday and was in a walking boot to protect his sore left heel.
Stewart first complained of the injury two weeks ago. He played in Carolina’s win over Arizona on Oct. 26, but was held to 10 yards on eight carries.
The Panthers were off last week, but the injury has kept Stewart sidelined. His status for Sunday’s game at Oakland is uncertain.
“It’s a sharp pain in my heel,” Stewart said. “I have to run the ball and it hurts every time I press off on it.”
Stewart, Carolina’s first-round pick, has been splitting carries with veteran DeAngelo Williams. Stewart has rushed for 362 yards and a team-best five touchdowns.
JUST LIKE DAD
After taking defensive end Chris Long with the second pick of the draft, the St. Louis Rams were accused of reaching a bit to fill a need. Not anymore, not with the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long quickly hitting his stride.
Long leads rookies with four sacks, including two at New England on Oct. 26, and has shown an ability to beat offensive linemen one-on-one.
His first career sack came in the home opener against the Giants in Week 2 and he also had one sack against Buffalo in a victory.
L.T. THE TUTOR
Vernon Gholston has the right jersey number. Now, he hopes spending some time with another No. 56 rubs off on the playing field.
The New York Jets rookie linebacker, struggling to fit in with the team’s 3-4 defensive scheme, had dinner with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor last week to discuss how he became perhaps the game’s most dominant pass-rushing outside linebacker.
STRETCH RUN
A .500 record or even a losing mark halfway through the season does not necessarily mean an NFL team’s postseason chances are gone.
Since 2000, 19 teams have gone 4-4 and one went 3-5 (2002 Jets), yet made the playoffs. Just a year ago, San Diego was 4-4, wound up 11-5 and lost to New England for the AFC championship.