Is this just a coaching tactic to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers guessing for the week one NFC South debut or are the Carolina Panthers really concerned for Cam Newton and his risk of re-injuring those ribs again? Cam suffered the fractured ribs two weeks ago in the preseason and isn’t quite 100% either way, plus he’s fresh off ankle surgery during the off-season.
As of now, Cam says he’s on pace to start against the Bucs and has been wearing a flak jacket with added padding where the injury took place. He’s definitely going to need that against the Tampa D, who is out to prove they are a forced to be reckoned with in the NFL this season.
Coach Ron Rivera and the Panthers were adamant all of this week, saying Newton would start and that the gameplan would not change because of Killa Cam’s injury, but they have taken a step back and will make the decision to play him a game-time move. If he doesn’t start Sunday, it would mark his first time not starting a game at any level in football.
“I don’t want to ever put this team or myself in jeopardy that I’m just stressing to hurry up and get out there and I’m not able to be what makes me, me.“
Carolina travels to Tampa Bay, FL to kick off their season at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. The game will air at 4:25 PM on FOX.
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