CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A big question for the Carolina Panthers entering the preseason was whether second-year running back Cameron Artis-Payne could carry the load if something happened to starter Jonathan Stewart.
Check that box.
Artis-Payne, playing behind a make-shift line of non-starters in Thursday’s night’s exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, carried 18 times for 77 yards (4.3 ypc) and caught two passes for 18 yards.
He showed explosiveness and power as a ball-carrier. He showed skill as a receiver, particularly on a one-handed catch.
At worst, he can effectively take the five or six carries off of Stewart that coach Ron Rivera wants, something he couldn’t do a year ago.