Panthers head of communications Steven Drummond said Newton is healthy and the surprising decision was made by head coach Ron Rivera. The exact reason Newton began the game on the sideline is unclear, but according to a source, the reasons were disciplinary.

The Panthers have been on the road since leaving Charlotte for a 10-day, two-game West Coast swing on Sept. 25. They spent their first eight days in Santa Clara before flying to Seattle on Saturday.

Backup Derek Anderson started for just the fourth time since he and Newton came to Carolina in 2011. It was Anderson’s first start in a game when Newton is active.

On the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage, Anderson pass bounced off the hands of fullback Mike Tolbert and into the hands of Seahawks linebacker Mike Morgan, who set Seattle up at Carolina’s 8-yard line. The Panthers limited the damage, holding the Seahawks to a 23-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka. Newton then entered the game on Carolina’s second drive.