The Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Monday that he’s not sure if QB, Cam Newton will be a go for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the hit Newton suffered to his head against the Atlanta Falcons.
Newton left the game early Sunday and was listed under the NFL’s concussion protocol. Rivera is uncertain at this point because he has not spoken to Newton yet since the QBs visit to the doctor. This is not the first shot that Newtons has suffered this season. During the opening game against the Denver Broncos, the QB took three shots to the head and many wondered what would happen if this continued.
Ron Rivera uncertain of Cam's status.https://t.co/Ld6ZmLUqFV
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 3, 2016
Newton is the reigning league MVP but this season has been more of a payback for defenses as some have seemed to zero in more personally on the 6′-6″ 260lbs player. His size means nothing, as a QB there are rules put in place to protect their well-being but it seems they have been ignored this season. If Newton is not able to suit up that will put the ball in the hands of veteran Derek Anderson. Anderson came in for Newton Sunday and passed for 172 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 48-33 loss.
Rivera had this to say to the Charlotte Observer:
“It’s right at the goal line. It’s one of those things,” Rivera said. “If I was playing, I would have taken the shot.
“It really is tough to answer the questions. It’s hard,” he said. “I don’t want to say something that could go against what the trainers are saying, or the doctors for that matter. So I’ll just kind of wait and go from there.”
Riviera wants to play it smart and wait for the doctors but for a player that has been hit repeatedly over four games this season, the smart move for the Panthers and Newton to do is take a week, make sure their franchise player is healthy.