Now we know why head coach Ron Rivera wasn’t so eager to speak to the media Thursday. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year quarterback Kyle Allen will start.
“(Newton) worked through a lot of the soreness this week, felt pretty good at the end of the week.” Rivera told reporters Friday. “The one thing we don’t want to do is have another setback. So, we want to make sure he is ready to roll and his foot can handle it.”
.@Panthers QB Cam Newton ruled out (foot) for Week 3 vs. Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/WPgql093Vm
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2019
Newton is dealing with an injured foot that he originally hurt in the team’s third preseason game against the New England Patriots. The Panthers, specifically Rivera, left Newton in for three series in that game. The quarterback, already coming back from an injured shoulder, injured his foot on that third time on the field.
Allen was an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M last season. He started the team’s final game of 2018 after Newton was shut down with the shoulder issue. He completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 266 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 33-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints, who were also starting back ups.
Aaron Donald will play Sunday night
Los Angeles Rams All-Universe defensive tackle has been dealing with a slight back issue, suffered in last week’s 27-9 victory over the Saints, but there was never any real question that he would play Sunday night. If there was, head coach Sean McVay ended that speculation Friday.
“He (Donald) is playing,” McVay said. “It’s a ‘questionable’ because really, we’re smart with him. He didn’t do some things, but unless something really unforeseen happens, this guy is going on Sunday night.”
Aaron Donald listed as questionable, but said he WILL play on Sunday.
Reporter: How'd you hurt your back?
AD: I’m just so fast, I was moving so fast.
Reporter: Too fast for your own body?
AD: Yeah, too damn fast.😂 Donald was serious, but even he chuckled as he said it.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 20, 2019
Even banged up, Donald played most of the defensive snaps in last Sunday’s game, 50-of-63 to be exact.
“I can’t remember (the play the injury happened),” McVay said. “I remember there was a certain reaction afterward. He plays so physical and violent. I think it was more just the torque that he created on his own. I’m not exactly sure which specific play it was.”
H/T NFL.com, NBC Sports
