Cam Newton could miss game Panthers game vs Buccaneers
By Bryan Rose
The Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton have adamantly suggested that the signal caller would be ready to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Week 1 matchup for over a week now.
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However with game day fast approaching, it appears Cam Newton isn’t as confident as he once was.
Newton has been limited in practice (understandably) as he nurses a nagging rib injury, though the Pro Bowl talent says he doesn’t want to hurt the team by taking the field if he’s not ready.
Knowing there is plenty of season left, the last thing Newton wants to do is risk further and potentially more devastating injury by playing if he’s not ready.
Newton: I don't want to put this team in jeopardy (if I'm not ready).
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) September 4, 2014
Cam Newton said he's never missed a game. "I am human... I will not put this team at risk to hurt it or anything."
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) September 4, 2014
All that said, Cam Newton suggested he’s been taking things slowly in hopes of playing against Tampa Bay in Carolina’s opening Week 1 tilt. He believes he is ‘on pace’ to play though would not fully commit when asked, so it appears Newton will be the dreaded ‘game-time decision’.
It’s worth noting that Newton was brought to the practice field on Friday via cart and was said to be uncomfortable with his flack jacket which he is expected to wear assuming he takes the field.
If Cam can’t play, backup quarterback Derek Anderson would likely draw the start.