Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has led the charge to change the NFL’s approach to the preseason. He’s not campaigned to stop the exhibition season, nor has he openly said anything negative about it. What he has done is refuse to play his starters in the meaningless games. After Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton went down with a foot injury against the New England Patriots Thursday night, the rest of the league should finally join him.
It was the dumbest possible injury for Newton and came at the worst possible time. All offseason the story on the former All-Pro quarterback has been his shoulder. It’s why the Panthers shut him down at the end of last season when they were realistically eliminated from playoff contention. Newton got the treatment he needed on the shoulder and has changed his throwing motion, all to rave reviews.
But we hadn’t seen it in a game, so head coach Ron Rivera thought it’d be a good idea to trot Newton out for a few series Thursday night to do just that. All they got was a disaster.
Newton did throw well, going 4-for-6, but on a sack on his third series, he left the field with the injured foot. Now he’s in a walking boot with a mid-foot sprain. According to the NFL Network, the Panthers are “cautiously optimistic” he’ll be ready for Week 1.
.@Panthers QB Cam Newton diagnosed with mid-foot sprain. The team is “cautiously optimistic” that he will be ready for Week 1. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/i4SpaiTchp
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2019
You know what? He was ready for Week 1 yesterday morning. He was ready for Week 1 after his first offensive series Thursday night. Playing Cam Newton at all was stupid, especially with concerns over his shoulder. Playing him in three series was downright moronic.
Whether the NFL and NFLPA keep four preseason games or go down to two or just eliminate it altogether is irrelevant in the new collective bargaining agreement. Coaches have to protect their own players. Use the preseason to evaluate the bottom of your roster and your primary back ups.
"Why was he even out there?"
Assessing Cam Newton's latest injury pic.twitter.com/LOAEOU2mia
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 23, 2019
