Carolina Panthers expect Cam Newton to play in Week 2

The Carolina Panthers had to overcome the absence of starting quarterback Cam Newton in its season-opening victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

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Carolina won’t have to do the same its next time out.

Newton, who missed the Panthers final preseason game and the contest versus the Bucs due to a hairline fracture in his ribs, will be active for the Panthers in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, according to head coach Ron Rivera.

From ESPN’s David Newton:

"“The way it was explained to me, this one week would make a big difference for him,” Rivera said Monday. “So I feel very confident, very comfortable going forward with him.”Rivera said Newton underwent treatment on Monday, and on Wednesday “I expect him to be ready to roll.”Even though there will be another evaluation at the end of the week, Rivera expects Newton to be under center against the Lions.“Yes, I do,” he said."

While the Panthers were able to survive without Newton in Week 1, it’s unlikely they would have been able to do so much longer, so this is obviously great news for the team.

With multiple offensive weapons leaving Carolina this past offseason, the Panthers’ success lies in Newton’s hands more than ever before.  He threw for 3,379 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and might need an even bigger season in 2014 if Carolina wants to return to the postseason.

Derek Anderson started in place of Newton against the Buccaneers and threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 24 of 34 passing.