Cam Newton Takes First-Team Reps At Panthers Practice

Dec 7, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) motions prior to the snap against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) motions prior to the snap against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton takes first-team reps at practice Thursday.

After splitting reps with backup quarterback Derek Anderson, Cam Newton took the majority of first-team reps at Panthers practice on Thursday. It seems like Cam is moving in the right direction regarding starting this week when the Carolina Panthers host the Cleveland Browns.

Newton suffered two transverse process fractures in his lower back after being involved in a car crash last Tuesday afternoon. The accident occurred just a block away from the Panthers training facility. The injury is similar to the one Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is dealing with.

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The former number one overall pick was unable to play this past Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so veteran Derek Anderson had to step in and hold down the fort. Anderson hadn’t played since Week 1 against, coincidentally, the Buccaneers, where he led the Panthers to a 20-14 win. He did the same in Week 15, as he led the Panthers to a 19-17 victory to stay alive in the NFC South.Multiple reporters at the Panthers practice said that Cam looked good, but head coach Ron Rivera is hesitant to name him the starter just yet. However, he said it was good to see his quarterback bounce back physically after suffering the injuries to his lower back last week.

While Cam will definitely not be 100 percent, it will be a big boost to the team if he can suit up this week against the Browns. At 5-8-1, the Panthers are still very much alive in the NFC South and will need Cam Newton if they have any hopes of squeaking into the playoffs this year.