Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has taken a beating this season. And apparently, the pain has been sufficient to make him get a closer look at it.
According to Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, Newton had an MRI on his throwing shoulder yesterday.
The tests didn’t show any structural damage, and he’s expected to play this week against Washington. But he was held out of passing drills during the open portion of practice, which is new.
“It’s nothing to be scared about,” Newton said after practice.
Newton has never taken a “veteran day” from practice before, so it’s at least a little notable, but Panthers coach Ron Rivera didn’t seem to think it was a big deal.
“Every now and then you’ve got to do that for him because he doesn’t take any breaks unless he has to,” Rivera said. “It was just one of those things he wanted to get out there and work, so we limited him trying to get him to take a little bit off.
“He’s a mentally tough guy. Some guys look at rest days as it shows you can’t take it. That’s his mentality. He’s tough-minded. He wants to be out there. He wants to show his teammates that he wants to be out there. So today was a little bit tough on him.”
The Panthers don’t have to turn in an injury report today because they play Monday night.
