Even though Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was upgraded to limited on Thursday’s official injury report, the sense inside the team is he will be held out of Sunday’s season opener at Tampa Bay.

For the second straight day, Newton didn’t attempt a pass in the portion of practice open to the media. He did work in drills where he took snaps from center and handed off to running backs.

Afterward, Newton stayed away from making similar claims like last week, when he proclaimed he had “no doubt” he’d play against the Bucs.

“Hopefully, when that clock starts, I will be on the field. I’m being optimistic about this whole thing, and I have no other choice to be that way,” Newton said.

“If I can go, I’m going to go. And with how I’m feeling right now, I’m on pace to play Sunday.”

But that pace has meant two straight days of essentially not practicing. Head coach Ron Rivera would only say Newton “did everything we asked,” but he wouldn’t reveal if Newton threw any passes after the media left.

“He wants to play, but we have to be smart about this. I can’t emphasize that more,” Rivera said. “I know I said I expect him to play, I do. But at the same time, we’re going to take a step back and be realistic. We’re going to listen to what the doctors and trainers have to say, as well as how Cam feels.”

Newton said he wouldn’t play if he didn’t feel 100 percent, and less than two weeks after he cracked his ribs against the Patriots, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be 100 percent by Sunday. Plus, there’s some thought that playing competent backup Derek Anderson instead of a bruised Newton gives the Panthers a better chance to win.

There is gamesmanship going on, but it’s not about making it appear Newton won’t play. The gregarious quarterback has danced for cameras this week, but that’s a long way from taking hits during a game.

For many, it’s hard to imagine Newton would miss the first game of the season, and of his entire football-playing career. But with three days to go before kickoff, it appears the player who likens himself to Superman has finally been hit with kryptonite.

“I don’t ever want to put this team or myself in jeopardy that I’m just stressing to hurry up to get out there, and I’m not able to be what makes me me,” Newton said.

“I am human. We all understand our limits. We all know what we can and can’t do. I will not put this team at risk to hurt it.”

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