Cam (foot) skips apply; no timetable for return

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton spent Saturday’s apply inside Financial institution of America Stadium getting remedy on his left mid-foot sprain, however Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera anticipates he’ll see his beginning quarterback on the sector “fairly quickly.”

“The medical doctors really feel the extra we hold him off of it, the extra we hold it elevated, we’re anticipating it to maintain itself rapidly,” Rivera stated because the staff resumed apply two days after Newton suffered the damage on the third collection of Thursday evening’s preseason loss at New England.

Common supervisor Marty Hurney stated on Friday that X-rays confirmed Newton suffered a gentle sprain and the staff was hopeful he could be prepared for the Sept. eight opener in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams.

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Rivera solely allowed that he was “cautiously optimistic” Newton could be on the apply discipline quickly.

“There actually is not any timetable, however we’ll do all the pieces we will to verify it is proper and able to roll,” Rivera stated. “What we’ll do is take it daily as a result of there is no such thing as a timetable. So we’ll start to focus in on what we have to as time progresses. There isn’t a timetable.”

Kyle Allen, signed by Carolina as an undrafted rookie out of Houston final yr, was first up within the quarterback rotation at apply. His general reps had been cut up evenly with backup Will Grier, chosen in April as a third-round pick of West Virginia.

Taylor Heinicke, first up final season when Newton was shut down the ultimate two video games to relaxation his sore proper shoulder that underwent arthroscopic surgical procedure in January, additionally took reps.

Rivera stated there have been no plans to work out different quarterbacks.

“We really feel actually good about what we’ve,” he stated. “We like what we’re seeing. There have been some good issues about resolution making which were fairly good. The progress you see, particularly in apply — I do know it is not recreation — however you see the expansion.

“That is what we’re making an attempt to do is develop the one or two guys which are going to be right here some time with Cam.”

Allen has gotten first reps behind Newton many of the previous two weeks. Whereas he has accomplished solely 50 % of his passes and hasn’t thrown a landing in three preseason video games, Rivera likes what he is seen out of the 23-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, who led the Panthers to a win in final yr’s season finale at New Orleans.

“The one factor that has stood out, once we get in some apply conditions and watch the issues Kyle actually is aware of and handles very well, you are feeling, ‘OK, that is the man,”’ Rivera stated. “He hasn’t been as regular as we might have appreciated him within the preseason video games.

“His decision-making has been good. He simply hasn’t delivered a very good ball at occasions, however he’s fast on his toes, he is proven some cool beneath stress prior to now and that is one factor that basically weighs in his favor.”

Allen says he is making ready as if he may be the starter.

“I all the time put together that method,” he stated. “For those who do not put together that method you are going to be underprepared. Whether or not or not Cam goes to be prepared — hopefully, he’ll be prepared — however prepared or not I’ll be ready.”

Rivera stated that Newton would not have performed in Thursday’s preseason finale in opposition to Pittsburgh anyway and the time rehabbing the foot offers Allen and the opposite quarterbacks extra time to work. He additionally stated it offers Newton’s shoulder time to relaxation.

“Issues are going nice along with his shoulder,” Rivera stated. “So the very best half is he is getting an opportunity to relaxation. We’re placing the optimistic spin on it.”