Jul 27, 2017; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1), tight end Greg Olsen (88) and other receivers watch practice during Panthers Training Camp at Wofford College. Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton did not throw at practice for the third consecutive day because of right shoulder soreness.
Head coach Ron Rivera said a change in the offensive scheme means Newton will run less this season, but that was before the Panthers ran into Newton’s nagging right shoulder issue that prevented him from throwing passes Thursday and three straight training camp workouts.
Newton fled the practice field on a utility cart, first speeding away from media in reverse across the football field before shifting into drive and fleeing toward the locker rooms. Joe Webb was a stowaway in the bed of the cart.
[TWEET]
Someone gave Cam Newton the keys to a utility truck. pic.twitter.com/eihGLBOO7b
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 3, 2017
[TWEET]
Rivera said the Panthers’ approach is all about “cautious” and being smart with the franchise quarterback.
“Why push it? Why have him throw with a sore arm and make it worse?” Rivera said. “It made no sense to have him throw with a sore shoulder.”
Newton had surgery on his right shoulder and was also given a rest day on Sunday, meaning he hasn’t thrown at four of the past five practices.
Teammates seem unconcerned and Newton is on the field for practice. He fully participates in non-passing drills and either pumps the ball or ends the drill when he’s participating in drills that call for the quarterback to throw.
“There’s a plan and when it’s time for him to throw, he’ll throw,” tight end Greg Olsen said. “When it’s time for him not to throw, he’ll not throw. All things just getting him ready to be ready for the opener in San Francisco — that’s what everything is about, not about how Cam throws (in August practices) out here.”
