Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart will not play in the team's Week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Stewart wrote the following on his Facebook page:

Sorry panther fans but it Looks like I'll be missing the game opener this year due to my recent ankle sprain! I'll be helping my team today by cheering them on! lets go panthers!! #panther-nation

Stewart ran for 761 yards and four touchdowns last season, playing in all 16 games for the Panthers. Stewart's absence could mean more carries for DeAngelo Williams and possibly fullback Mike Tolbert in goal-line situations.

Kickoff for Sunday's game is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, head over to Tampa Bay Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation as well as Carolina Panthers blog Cat Scratch Reader. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

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