When he walked onto the Bank of America Stadium practice fields Monday, Cam Newton appeared to be moving slightly better than he had been Sunday. But the Panthers quarterback, who’s nursing a hairline fracture in his rib, was still walking gingerly.

In the portion of practice open to the media, head trainer Ryan Vermillion, plus a few coaches and teammates talked to Newton about his sore right side. He has already been ruled out for Thursday’s preseason finale in Pittsburgh, but the Panthers are hopeful he can return next week to prepare for the regular season opener in Tampa Bay.