Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suffered a hairline fracture in one of his ribs against the New England Patriots, the team announced on Sunday. Head coach Ron Rivera said Newton will not play in the final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers but should be available for Week 1.
Cam Newton has fractured rib, will miss final preseason game
Newton should be ready for the regular season opener but will miss Carolina’s final preseason game.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Newton took a knee to the back during Carolina’s preseason game against the Pats on Friday. He was wearing a protective flak jacket, but the contact happened in the crease of the equipment.
That leaves Derek Anderson and Joe Webb as the only healthy quarterbacks on the roster. Rivera has not announced which will start against the Steelers, but Anderson was listed as the No. 2 on the latest depth chart.
Even if Newton is available for the regular season opener, his absence from the exhibition is significant. He’s not only trying to work off the rust from offseason ankle surgery, but is trying to establish a rapport with an entirely new receiving corps. Rivera said earlier this week that Newton needed to work on his timing against the Steelers.
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