As if anyone needed more evidence for why Sean McVay is smart to rest his starters in the preseason, we got another example on Thursday night. Cam Newton left the Panthers’ game against the Patriots early with an ankle injury and was unable to return.
After the game, he was seen in a walking boot, which is never a good sign for a player. Newton’s X-rays came back clean, but he’s not out of the woods yet. With Week 1 just two weeks away, his status for that game against the Rams is certainly in question.
According to ESPN, it’s believed to be a sprained ankle for Newton.
The Panthers will learn more on Friday, but the team is holding its breath that the injury isn’t serious.
“We’re hoping it is not too bad,” Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said after the game. “We’ll find out more (on Friday). But I hope it’s not too bad.”
Newton is as important to his team as anyone in the NFL. The Panthers offense is opened up when he’s on the field, which is not the case when Kyle Allen and Will Grier are out there.
His status will be closely monitored over the next two weeks as we approach the season opener. The Panthers host the Rams on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. ET.
UPDATE
After undergoing tests, the Panthers are “cautiously optimistic” Newton will be ready for Week 1 against the Rams.
