HEADLINE

Panthers QB Newton on camp pitch count

Field Level Media

July 24, 2019 at 10:07 pm.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will save his bullets for the regular season.

Head coach Ron Rivera said Newton, who was slowly worked back into throwing activities in the offseason coming off of surgery, will be placed on a strict “pitch count” during training camp.

“Based on the things that we have, as far as going in with our install, will dictate what he does,” Rivera said.

In January, Newton underwent the second surgery on his throwing shoulder in two years. He was limited down the stretch to end the 2018 regular season and sat out the final two games with shoulder discomfort.

When Newton returned from his previous shoulder surgery, the Panthers were forced to pause and scale back his practice workload.

“There will be a count obviously,” Rivera said. “They’re going to pay attention to the reps and see how he is the next morning.

“We believe he’s ready to roll.”

Also ready to roll are rookie first-round pick Brian Burns and new center Matt Paradis.

Burns, an outside linebacker/defensive end, signed his rookie contract on Wednesday. The four-year deal — which, like all first-round contracts includes a team option in the fifth year — is worth about $14 million over four years, fully guaranteed, based on his No. 15 draft slot.

Paradis, who signed a three-year, $29 million contract in free agency, avoided being placed on the physically unable to perform list as he returns from a broken ankle sustained in November.

Paradis sat out all of the offseason program, and Denver Broncos general manager John Elway cited the injury as one reason the team let Paradis leave in free agency, but the 29-year-old appears set to practice this week.

Starting on the PUP list are wideout Torrey Smith and linebackers Jermaine Carter and Brandon Chubb. Smith is battling a knee issue after missing five games last season.

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