Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, but he could return to practice as soon as Wednesday.

According to coach Ron Rivera, Newton had a "good day" Monday as he went through the stage of the protocol that requires light football activities.

"He worked out with our training staff. They took him out. He ran," Rivera said. "He threw the ball. We had one of our young guys with him and he was running routes for him. He lifted.

"So that's encouraging."

Once Newton passes a series of neuropsychological exams, he'll be allowed to return to practice. But he'd still need to be cleared by both a Panthers’ physician and an independent neurologist before he's allowed to play in a game.

According to an ESPN report, Newton was advised by doctors to stay home instead of watching Monday night's home loss to the Bucs from the sideline or in a suite. And perhaps home is where Newton was headed on his scooter:

With sports talk television and radio in a furor over the image, Rivera was asked if he's concerned about his quarterback not wearing a helmet while in the concussion protocol. Carolina's coach chuckled and said:

"I'm not going to worry about that. I don't know. The bottom line is he's an adult and we'll go from there."