NFL PLAYER NEWS

Newton to make preseason debut Thursday

The Sports Xchange

August 22, 2017 at 2:08 pm.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is at least raising the expectations that he’ll be ready for the start of the season by taking part in practices in a regular capacity this week.

Jul 26, 2017; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during training camp held at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 26, 2017; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during training camp held at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

You can bet that he’s being monitored and evaluated extensively as he comes off offseason shoulder surgery. But for two days he has been as active in workouts as at any time during the preseason.

“Then we’ll re-evaluate him as coaches,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “We’re feeling good about it.”

For now, the plan is for Newton to play in Thursday night’s preseason game at Jacksonville.

With the third preseason game often considered the key opportunity for assessment going into the season, getting Newton game work could be crucial.

“You can’t simulate the game speed,” Rivera said. “The biggest thing is getting them all out there. … With him, it will be the quality reps.”

–The Panthers have split their first two preseason games.

Upon reflecting on the loss at Tennessee, there were more encouraging signs that Rivera expected to uncover when studying the footage.

“There really was a lot more good than I initially thought,” Rivera said. “Some of the things that happened to us were self-inflicted.”

Those are the areas that need to be cleaned up going into Thursday night’s matchup at Jacksonville.

With a short turnaround, there has been an emphasis on making sure the players have recovered from Saturday’s game. There’s also a level of importance placed on this week’s outing.

“We’re trying to be smart with our guys,” Rivera said. “We want to make sure our guys are fresh going into what is really your most important preseason game.”

Look for one of the priorities on offense to be ball security. Turnovers have negated much of the good work the offense has come up with in the preseason.

“We have pretty good balance, but we just can’t turn the ball over,” Rivera said.

–The Panthers are interested in establishing depth across the roster, perhaps a concept that takes extra meaning for a team that has played without its most high-profile defender at times.

All indications are that linebacker Luke Kuechly is in good shape as the season approaches. But while he dealt with some rib soreness, it gave David Mayo a chance for a more extensive role in the second preseason game.

Mayo needs the work in game situations because he hasn’t had a lot in the past. The last few seasons, the Panthers seemed comfortable with A.J. Klein in a primary backup role, but he chose to sign with the New Orleans Saints and that left a void in depth.

“One thing we have to really evaluate is what is our depth,” Rivera said, primarily pointing to the linebacker position.

There have been encouraging signs from Jeremy Cash, a second-year pro, but he’s tagged more for a role on special teams despite some good preseason work. Plus, Cash arrived as a strong safety so his experience level at linebacker doesn’t compare to others in camp.