Stewart, Beason back in practice

(By Charles Chandler, cchandler@charlotteobserver.com) As much as Carolina Panthers coach John Fox likes to have all players practicing and playing in the preseason, he knows it's vastly more important to have them ready to play when the regular season opens. Thus, his patience was rewarded Wednesday when running back Jonathan Stewart and linebacker Jon Beason returned to the field for the first time in 29 and 19 days, respectively. Both are expected to play in Sunday's season opener against Philadelphia.