(Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-US PRESSWIRE)

Marshawn Lynch and Jonathan Stewart may have to wait a week before making their 2012 debuts, as both have been listed as questionable for Sunday starts by their respective teams. Lynch has been suffering from back spasms recently and Stewart was carted off the field during the Panthers preseason finale against the New York Jets.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was confident that Stewart would be ready to go against the Buccanees Sunday afternoon.

(Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE)

“We do feel pretty good about Jonathan after hearing the progress I was told today,” said Rivera after the team’s practice at IMG Academy in Bradenton, where the team has been practicing since the Democratic National Convention is being held where the Panthers play their home games. “There are reasons for optimism, but we’ll probably wait until Sunday morning to make the call. But we like his progress, that’s why we’re optimistic.”

DeAngelo Williams was expected to get the start regardless of Stewarts health, but if the Panthers are without Stewart, they’re without half of their potent running back tandem. However, Carolina can plug-and-play free agent acquisition Mike Tolbert, who filled in nicely for Ryan Mathews in San Diego when Mathews was injured.

As for Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks weren’t upfront about their faith in Lynch playing. he Seahawks are already going to begin the season without Golden Tate and backup quarterback Matt Flynn was listed as questionable after taking limited snaps in Friday practice. If Lynch is a no-go for the Seahawks, rookie Russell Wilson is basically going to be on his own in his debut.

But the fact that the Seahawks are playing the lowly Cardinals in week one bodes well for the chances of Wilson winning his rookie debut regardless of whether or not Lynch is there to help him.

Tags: Carolina Panthers, NFL, Seattle Seahawks