Panthers uncertain who'll start at running back

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Coach Ron Rivera isn't sure who'll be getting the bulk of carries this Sunday when the Panthers visit the Bengals.

Running back DeAngelo Williams will miss his second straight game with a high ankle sprain, Rivera said Friday.

He hopes to have Jonathan Stewart back for the Bengals, but isn't sure if he'll be ready to play. Stewart has missed the last two games with a sprained knee and is listed as questionable. Rivera said he'll make a game-time decision on Stewart's status, and if he's active he'll see the bulk of carries.

If not, Darrin Reaves, Fozzy Whittaker and Chris Ogbonnaya will split carries.

Stewart, who has struggled to stay healthy the past three seasons, practiced Friday on a limited basis.

''He had a really good day and that entails taking the reps he was supposed to, running the ball, carrying the ball, blocking and stepping up to the mix,'' Rivera said of Stewart, a former first-round draft pick. ''This was by far his best day in the last couple of weeks.''

Stewart only has 58 yards on 29 carries.

Williams has struggled to stay on the field for Carolina this year, too.

He ran for 72 yards on 14 carries in the season opener against Tampa Bay, but missed the next two games with a hamstring injury. He started in Week 4 against the Ravens, only to injure his ankle early in the game.

Carolina is 29th in the league in rushing, averaging just 71 yards per game. The Panthers have just two touchdowns rushing this season.

Rivera said cornerbacks Josh Norman (concussion) and Bene Benwikere (ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday.

Melvin White, who was benched for last week's game against Chicago after giving up two touchdown catches the week before to Baltimore's Steve Smith, will start in place of Norman. Rivera said Charles Godfrey will work at nickel back with the rookie Benwikere out.

Tight end Greg Olsen (ankle) and defensive end Charles Johnson (hip) are listed as questionable, but Rivera says they'll play.

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