Cam Newton misses Thursday’s practice before MNF

Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Cam Newton missed practice on Thursday before Monday Night Football in Week 5. Newton is in concussion protocol.

The Panthers have stumbled to 1-3 in their first four games of the 2016 NFL season. Quarterback Cam Newton has played nothing like a league MVP this. He may not play for the Panthers on Monday Night Football versus the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Newton missed Thursday’s practice for the Panthers. This is the second practice in a row that Newton has missed. His status at the Panthers’ Week 5 starting quarterback in clearly in jeopardy.

Newton is in concussion protocol after sustaining a series of hits against the division rival Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. His his sustained by Falcons rookie linebacker Deion Jones on a two-point conversion in the fourth forced Newton out of the game. However, one could argue that he didn’t look quite right on a few earlier offensive series in the second half.

This is a must-win game for the Panthers. If Carolina falls to 1-4 on the year, the Panthers’ chances of winning the NFC South take a series hit. Carolina already has a loss to division leader Atlanta. A home loss to Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football would put the Panthers at 0-2 in NFC South play.

Should Newton be able to play on Monday Night Football, Carolina should be favored over visiting Tampa Bay. However if backup Derek Anderson has to start at quarterback for the Panthers, Tampa Bay might be a slight road favorite. Tampa Bay plays better on the road and quarterback Jameis Winston has more dynamism over Anderson at this stage of their respective careers.

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Las Vegas doesn’t feel comfortable in putting out lines until it knows that status of Newton for this game. If Newton can’t play, this might be a lost season for Carolina, only a year after winning the NFC at 15-1.