Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is making a final push to convince himself and the coaching staff he can play in the team’s season opener at Tampa Bay. Whether he’s able to do it is a decision that likely won’t be made until Sunday.Newton, who cracked his ribs just over two weeks ago, is listed as questionable after fully participating in Friday’s walkthrough. For the first time this week, he threw passes in the portion of practice that was open to the media, and he took reps with the starters.”I think he took the next step,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “Kind of what we were hoping, especially in light of how he felt the other day. There was some concern coming into (Wednesday’s) practice, but he just seems to be getting stronger right now.”BBR reported Thursday that Newton is unlikely to play, and that remains the general feeling inside the team. They’d prefer he sit this one out, but they’re allowing him to make some final arguments.”That’s the reason he came out (to Friday’s walkthrough), to show he can do it. But there’s some things you can’t measure, and that’s how he’s going to react if he gets hit,” Rivera said.The Panthers are concerned Newton’s playing style will leave him susceptible to further injury. Even with fractured ribs and what still may be an iffy ankle, he’ll try to make a play, even if it means taking a hit.”I only play this game the only way I know how to play it,” Newton reiterated on Thursday.Then on Friday, he did what he does.”We had a play called and he decided to check it and keep the ball, which we don’t want. We want him to go with the play, be smart about what’s going on, but he’s going to do … it’s him,” Rivera said”So we’re concerned. But understanding who he is, that’s the whole part of the thing that’s going to come into play making this decision. He wants to play, he wants to win, and that’s him.”

[blockquote type=”center”]VIDEO: Newton Throws at Friday’s Walkthrough[/blockquote]

Newton could want to play and win so badly, he may have to tolerate a good amount of pain. He’s not a fan of needles, so a pre-game shot might not be an option.If Newton goes, it will mean he and the team believe he can handle it. And if Newton goes, it will mean he and the team believe he gives them the best chance to win.”When we make our decision Sunday morning, it’s going to be based on how we feel how he’s done the last couple days. How he feels in terms of handling what we want to do with the game plan and whether or not we believe he’ll be able to protect himself if he does take a shot,” Rivera said. “Again, this is not a sprint, this is a marathon.”