Black and Blue Review
Newton Nursing Hairline Fracture
Quarterback Cam Newton has a hairline fracture in one of his ribs, and has been ruled out of the Panthers preseason finale in Pittsburgh.
Head coach Ron Rivera expects his team’s most-important player to be ready for the regular season opener two weeks from Sunday in Tampa Bay, but that’s certainly not a guarantee.
“There is a lot of concern. This morning he came in, and he was very, very sore,” Rivera said after Sunday’s practice, one Newton watched while walking the sidelines gingerly. “We expect him to get past the soreness the next few days, and then be able to do a lot more as the days go.”
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7 Things to Know: Newton’s Hairline Fracture
- The injury happened when he took a knee to the back at the end of a scramble during Friday’s night’s preseason game in New England. The play starts at the 1:25 mark of this clip.
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WHAT NOW?
Most elite quarterbacks become great because of their arms. Cam Newton’s biggest differentiator is his legs. Of course, the more he uses them, the more he puts himself in danger.
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PANTHERS POLL
WHO DIDN’T PRACTICE
- RB Darrin Reaves: After returning to practice last week, the undrafted rookie is dealing with a setback to the right knee he injured in the preseason opener.
- LT Byron Bell: Showed up to the stadium Sunday with “a nasty cold.”
- G Trai Turner: Still out with the groin injury he suffered against Kansas City.
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WHO DID
Two weeks before the season opener in Tampa Bay, the Panthers practiced without their starting quarterback, left tackle, right guard, and both defensive ends. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln …
But there was some actual good news Sunday as four guys returned from injury, including a pair of safeties.
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ROSTER TRIMMED
10 players were let go, including WRs Kealoha Pilares, Marvin McNutt and Tiquan Underwood. Sunday’s only relative surprise was that all three were released in the first round of cuts.
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ONE MORE SURGERY
T.J. Olsen has dealt with more health complications during his first 22 months than most adults will in their entire lives. The son of Panthers tight end Greg Olsen faces another big battle this week.