Panthers Cautious About Cam Newton's Comeback

As the playoff-hopeful Panthers began their week of preparation Monday for the Browns, quarterback Cam Newton’s status remained unclear. If he can handle the pain from the two transverse fractures he suffered in last week’s car accident, there is a good chance he will start next Sunday. But Newton still has many steps to pass before he gets there.

“The goal is to get him back on the practice field when he’s ready to. I don’t want to sit there and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to have him in there on Wednesday,'” coach Ron Rivera said. “We have an idea of what we’re hoping for, but we don’t know. If today goes well, but tomorrow’s not very good, it sets him back. If today goes well and tomorrow goes well, then who knows? Take each day day-by-day.”

Newton spent early Monday afternoon watching tape of his teammates beating the Bucs from a day earlier. He was then expected to go through treatment with Panthers’ trainers.

Recent history provides two examples that could foreshadow Newton’s quick return. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty each missed just one game after they suffered transverse fractures this year. But they are different players than Newton, who is often asked to absorb a number of hits per game.

“The biggest factor will be whether or not they tell me he can protect himself. I don’t want to put a guy out there that can’t himself. And by that, it’s having to be able to run out of the way, scramble out of the way, keep the play alive by being able to get out of the way,” Rivera said. “That’s all part of the decision that went into the first Tampa Bay game.”

Even though Newton wanted to play in the season opener against the Bucs, Rivera held his quarterback out. Newton’s cracked ribs were still not completely healed, and there was a fear they could have gotten worse if he took a direct shot. The healing process for the transverse fractures is different. The injury can not get much worse. Dealing with the pain is a bigger factor. _DSC6733

If the Panthers decide to sit Newton against the Browns, Derek Anderson will start against the team that unceremoniously dumped him after the 2009 season. But as long as Newton does not have any setbacks, the odds are Anderson will return to his backup role this week.

“We’ve got two solid quarterbacks. We’ve got a young one that gives you all kinds of ability and potential, and you’ve got another one that’s very steady. It’s a great situation to be in,” Rivera said.

“At the end of the day, I’m going to listen to the doctors and trainers, just like I did last time. When I hear what they have to say, and we go through it, I’ll listen to the coaches, and I’ll watch practice myself. We’ll draw that conclusion at the appropriate time.”