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Jonathan Stewart once again wasn't a part of the Panthers' week-opening practice, but he's been good to go at game time for Weeks 1 and 2 this year. (PHOTO: ANDREW MASON / PANTHERS.COM)

CHARLOTTE -- The bad news for Jonathan Stewart? He continues to grapple with soreness in his lower leg and once again did not practice as the Panthers began their work week and preparation for the Dallas Cowboys.

"It's still sore," he admitted. "It's just sore. It's not better yet."

The good news, however, rests in his performances at game time through two weeks -- 146 yards from scrimmage, a 5.0-yards-per-carry average and in Atlanta, a 7.2-yard pace that was his best since his last 100-yard game, a 115-yard, 15-carry effort against Tampa Bay during the Panthers' last Monday Night Football appearance on Dec. 8, 2008.

Even though he hasn't been cleared for full work at the start of each practice week so far, he's been prepared at its end.

"As of right now, the schedule is the way it is," Stewart said. "As long as it's working, I don't see why (it should change)."

Until he got his first carry of the year against Philadelphia, however, he was uncertain about how a training camp and preseason on the sideline would impact him -- and his standing with teammates -- as he dealt with his injury.

"Anxious, you mean? Yeah, I was definitely anxious to get out there and play and show my team that I haven't just been doing (nothing)," Stewart said, "that I've been in the pool, I've been studying, I've been doing as much as I can to stay fit for the team -- and when I say fit, (I mean) mentally and physically."

AS STEWART WATCHED defensive tackle Nick Hayden and safety Chris Harris returned to practice, although each worked on a limited basis.

Harris had not practiced on his bothersome knee in 13 days and hasn't played in the regular season, so even limited work Thursday was a necessary step forward.

"I hate seeing what's going on out there, and I can't do anything about it," said Harris. "So I've just been able to be vocal from the sideline and try to help the guys out as much as I possibly can from what I'm seeing on the sideline. I'm very anxious to get back in action."

Although Harris said he's "feeling better," he doesn't know if he'll be ready by Monday.

"Let's hope," he said. "We'll see."

Also limited in their work Thursday were offensive tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah, who are grappling with knee and shoulder problems, respectively.

MISSING PRACTICE THURSDAY along with Stewart were linebacker Na'il Diggs, running back Mike Goodson and fullback Brad Hoover. Diggs and Hoover were injured in Atlanta last Sunday, while Goodson came down with an illness and did not join his teammates.

NEW TO THE PRACTICE FIELD was defensive end Maurice Evans, who was signed to the practice squad to fill out its eight-man complement. Evans was with the Giants until the end of the preseason, then spent eight days on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad before being released 10 days ago.