CHARLOTTE – It may be cliché, but the next-man-up-philosophy truly applies in the Panthers locker room.
Yes, in the locker room – not just the coaches' offices. It was a theme repeated multiple times by running back Fozzy Whittaker following Carolina's 46-27 victory over the 49ers.
"I definitely was excited to be out there," Whittaker said. "I never want to see my own teammate go down, and I hope he heals up very fast. But, we always have the next-man-up-mentality, and whenever my number's called, I'm just trying to help produce and get the team a win."
Whittaker entered the game listed second on the Panthers' running back depth chart, but after starter Jonathan Stewart went down with six minutes remaining in the first quarter, Whittaker became the featured back. He ended his day with 100 rushing yards on 16 carries, plus an additional 31 receiving yards.
"Fozzy just picked up the rifle and kept shooting. You know you say that a lot in war, and we were battling out there today," quarterback Cam Newton said. "I am feeling extremely confident knowing that the torch is passed to Fozzy, and hopefully we can get Stewart back healthy this week."
Even as the minutes were ticking down and the running back had yet to reach the golden benchmark of rushing for the first time since high school, Whittaker was only focused on clinching victory for his team. With the Panthers trying to run out the clock, Whittaker gained 9 yards on three carries to reach an even 100 but didn't quite reach the sticks.
"The first down was on my mind, because I knew if we got the first down, we would end the game," Whittaker said. "That's all I was worried about. I came up a yard short, so I wish I had that carry back, but we were just worried about winning the game."
Even though Whittaker wasn't worried about his personal accolades, fellow running back and good friend Mike Tolbert was keeping an eye on his performance.
"I was actually supposed to go in on the last drive," Tolbert said. "And I was like, 'No. Let him go.' He only needed like eight or nine yards (for 100).
"To see what he did today, I felt like a proud pop."
That team spirit was created by the next-man-up-mentality Whittaker so firmly believes in. It inspired not only his fellow running backs, but the entire offensive corps.
"He was a great spark," said tight end Greg Olsen. "Losing a guy like Stew early was not ideal. Fozz is a special teams guy and a reserve role, spot player, but to come in and be our bellcow and carry the ball every time speaks volumes. His number was called and he answered it. We were fortunate to have him today."
View game action photos from Carolina's 46-27 win over San Francisco.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass under pressure from San Francisco 49ers' Ahmad Brooks (55) in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Shaq Thompson (54) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown after recovering a San Francisco 49ers fumble in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers' Shaun Draughn (24) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Tre Boston (33) in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass over San Francisco 49ers' Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Francisco 49ers' Chris Davis, center, and Ray-Ray Armstrong, right, try to recover a fumble by Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker, left, in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The 49ers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert (2) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers' Rod Streater (81) celebrates after making a first down against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) runs past San Francisco 49ers' Antoine Bethea (41) for a touchdown after a catch in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) celebrates his touchdown catch as San Francisco 49ers' Tramaine Brock (26) watches in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert (2) tries to avoid the rush of Carolina Panthers' Charles Johnson (95) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) runs for a gain past San Francisco 49ers' NaVorro Bowman (53) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates after making a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin, back, catches a pass as San Francisco 49ers' Jimmie Ward, front, defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a touchdown pass as San Francisco 49ers' Jimmie Ward (25) and Antoine Bethea (41) defend in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert (2) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) runs into the end zone past San Francisco 49ers' Jaquiski Tartt (29) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) fumbles the football as San Francisco 49ers' Eli Harold (58) watches in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The 49ers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) fumbles the kickoff by the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The 49ers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers' Shaun Draughn, left, recovers a Carolina Panthers fumble as Carolina Panthers' Jeremy Cash (57) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert (2) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Francisco 49ers' Vance McDonald (89) runs past Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a pass as San Francisco 49ers' Chris Davis (43) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Panthers won 46-27. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) reacts to making a catch against San Francisco 49ers' Eric Reid (35) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs past San Francisco 49ers' Eric Reid (35) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Francisco 49ers' Vance McDonald (89) misses a catch as Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Panthers won 46-27. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers' Jeremy Kerley (17) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) catches a touchdown pass as San Francisco 49ers' Antoine Bethea (41) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert (2) looks to pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison (97) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Panthers won 46-27. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates after an NFL football game San Francisco 49ers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Panthers won 46-27. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
