Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is visiting Green Bay to meet with a foot specialist, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
The timing of Newton’s visit is interesting since his team will be going to Wisconsin soon, anyway. The Panthers play the 7-1 Packers in Week 10, a game that’s been flexed to the late-afternoon time slot on Fox.
Newton has missed the last five games for Carolina with his foot injury. Kyle Allen won the first four in his place but he was exposed by the 49ers on Sunday in a 51-13 loss that’s brought out comparisons to last year’s debacle against the Steelers, which effectively sank the Panthers’ season.
Allen has been named the starter for this week’s matchup with the Titans. Newton had seemed to be getting closer to returning. While he’s not practicing yet, he traveled with the team to San Francisco and did warmups.
The team is in a difficult spot regarding Newton’s return. Tennessee may not be as tough as San Francisco, but they also have one of the league’s best defensive units. If Allen struggles like he did against the Niners, the Panthers will likely be 4-4 going into their critical matchup with the Packers.
Ron Rivera has maintained that the team won’t make a decision at QB until Newton is 100%. That’s the right way to go about it, but remember, Rivera’s job could be on the line depending on how the rest of the season goes.
Update:
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that Newton’s visit is about his foot not getting better. He says a return to action is still a long way off.
Update:
The Panthers have released a statement on Newton’s condition. Here’s what general manager Marty Hurney has to say, per the team website.
“I spent a long time speaking with Cam this week and he’s done everything he possibly can in his rehab process to get his foot to 100 percent. . . Unfortunately, we haven’t reached that point. The next step is for him to go see Dr. Anderson and gather more information.”
It’s becoming increasingly unlikely we will see Newton at 100% this year.
