Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson confirmed to reporters Wednesday afternoon that coach Ron Rivera told him he will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anderson replaces Cam Newton, who sustained two minor fractures in his lower back after he was involved in a car crash on Tuesday.
Derek Anderson will start vs. Buccaneers
Cam Newton has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers and Anderson will start in his place at quarterback for the Panthers.
This will be the second start in 2014 for Anderson, who also subbed for Newton in the season opener against the Buccaneers. Anderson was 24 of 34 for 230 yards and two touchdowns against the Bucs in Carolina’s 28-14 victory. Since then he also appeared in three games, completing 70 percent of his passes with no interceptions and a passer rating of 124.2.
The Panthers are 4-8-1 and, yes, somehow still in the thick of the playoff race, trailing the 5-8 Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints by a half game in the NFC South. If Newton is out for an extended period of time, Carolina's chances of reaching the postseason would certainly take a hit, but an easy schedule in the final three weeks gives them a solid chance to win the division regardless of who is under center.
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