For the first time in his life, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will miss a game because of injury. The fourth-year player was ruled out of Carolina’s season opener in Tampa Bay when the inactive list became official an hour and a half before kickoff.

Newton, who cracked his ribs against the Patriots just over two weeks ago, tried to make himself ready to play, but the Panthers are being cautious with their most-important player. If Newton had taken a hit to his ribs Sunday, the fear was he would be out far longer than just the short term.

Backup Derek Anderson, who last started a regular season game in 2010 for the Cardinals, will start for the Panthers.

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