According to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is expected to miss several more weeks with his foot injury and could be out even longer. It’s possible he will be placed on injured reserve.
“While there is no timetable for recovery, Newton is expected to be sidelined several weeks and potentially more. As the Panthers enter Week 9 — with Kyle Allen starting against the Titans on Sunday — time is running out for the former league MVP. . . Being placed on injured reserve is on the table for Newton, sources say.”
On the bright side, Rapoport says surgery was not recommended by the specialist he saw in Green Bay on Friday.
Newton has been out since Week 2, when he re-aggravated the injury he suffered against the Patriots in the preseason.
The Panthers have gone 4-1 in his absence, but it hasn’t had much to do with the play of backup QB Kyle Allen. Carolina has one of the best passing defenses in the league this season and running back Christian McCaffrey is in the MVP conversation. There’s only so far they can go while their best QB is on the sidelines, though.
However, it’s starting to feel like we won’t get to see a healthy Cam at 100% this year. The Panthers have already mismanaged Newton’s injuries enough over the last few seasons. The best thing for everybody may be to shut him down for the rest of the year and let him heal, then decide what to do in the offseason.
