Fantasy Football: Will Cam Newton play in Week 1?
By Josh Sanchez
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is dealing with a cracked rib that could force him to miss the team’s season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
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So will he or won’t he play? It appears that he is set to be a true game-time decision.
UPDATE (2:56 p.m. ET): Cam Newton has been ruled inactive.
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UPDATE (12:13 p.m. ET): Jay Glazer reported on FOX’s pre-game show that Cam Newton is NOT expected to play. The plan is currently to hold him out of Week 1. The Panthers fear another shot to the ribs could lead to Newton missing 3-4 more weeks.
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On NFL GameDay First, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is considering holding Newton out of the game. That would be in the best interest of the team for the long-term, and against a tough and physical Buccaneers defense it may be for the best.
However, it was just Saturday afternoon that reports indicated Newton would be on track to play.
Jason La Canfora wrote:
Cam Newton took full reps for the Panthers today with no setbacks. Would seem on target to start against the Bucs
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 6, 2014
It will all come down to how Newton feels on Sunday when he steps onto the field.
We will know for sure whether or not he will be suiting up just hours before kickoff when the Buccaneers and Panthers unveil their list of inactives for Week 1.
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