Panthers coach Ron Rivera reversed course today after telling reporters that all four quarterbacks should play against the Bears.
Instead, Rivera announced Cam Newton will not play and Kyle Allen will start in his place. Rivera says there’s nothing wrong with Newton and he’s still on schedule, per the team website.
“There are a lot of things that we want to see from the young guys,” Rivera said. “By doing that, we give Kyle an opportunity right off the bat. We’re going to have a few more games where his reps are certainly going to be limited. Everything we are doing with Cam has been mapped out, and everything is fine.”
The team’s second-most important player will also not be suiting up — middle linebacker Luke Kuechly has been ruled out. Jermaine Carter Jr. will start in his stead, presumably next to Shaq Thompson.
Kuechly told reporters he was never in the concussion protocol and just “rolled up weird” during a pileup.
Cam and Kuechly probably won’t see much playing time in the preseason until Week 3 against the Patriots.
