GM Marty Hurney Says Panthers Are 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Cam Newton's Availability for Week 1
By Sean Facey
Cam Newton gave Panthers fans a scare on Thursday when he went down with a foot injury during a preseason game against the New England Patriots.
But it seems as though things might not be as bad as they first looked. Though he suffered a mid-foot sprain in his left foot, Carolina general manager Marty Hurney says the organization is "cautiously optimistic" about their franchise's availability for Week 1.
From Carolina Panthers GM Marty Hurney: "Cam Newton has a mid-foot sprain in his left foot, and we are cautiously optimistic he will be ready for week one."
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 23, 2019
That makes the video of Newton leaving the game in a walking boot much easier to swallow.
He's undoubtedly the most important cog in Carolina's offense. The 2015 MVP has thrown for over 3,300 yards in all but one season during his eight-year NFL career. The offense runs through him. Without Newton under center, the Panthers are significantly worse off.
"No QB in the league has taken more hits since 2011 than Cam Newton. He's accumulated over 1,200 hits since he's been in the league. ... Cam, the staff, ownership has done everything they can to be able to protect Cam. But this is just part of doing business." — @criscarter80 pic.twitter.com/0IsopAxI7t
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) August 23, 2019
But the obvious concern is how the injury will affect his mobility. Newton, who has rushed for 4,808 yards since he entered the league, relies on his ability to improvise and extend plays with his legs. It'll be interesting to see whether or not the injury hampers his scrambling this season.
Panthers fans everywhere can rest a little bit easier now knowing that there's at least a chance that the team's star quarterback will be ready to go for the start of the regular season.