Charlotte North Carolina. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, 25, who suffered a rib injury during the third preseason game versus the New England Patriots will be a game time decision to play next Sunday when the Panthers open the defense of their National Football Conference Southern Division title at Tampa Florida when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the host team.
If Newton who is in fourth year in the National Football League will not be able to start the game versus the Buccaneers next Sunday, Newton will be replaced in the quarterback position by back up quarter Derek Anderson, 31. The third quarterback on the Panthers depth chart is Joe Webb, 27.
Newton said if he is not able to help the Panthers win the football game on Sunday if his rib injury prevents him from playing his best on the gridiron at Raymond James Stadium, he will stay on the sideline this Sunday.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said he is optimistic that Newton will be ready to play on Sunday in the first game of the 2014 regular football season.
The players and the coaches of the Buccaneers expect Newton to be ready to play on Sunday. Time will tell if Newton will be able to play on Sunday as the starting quarterback of the Panthers. Newton is one of the most valuable players on the Panthers roster.
News sources: Charlotte Observer, CBS Sports and NBC Sports