Cam Newton: No concussion but knee now a concern

An investigation into how the Carolina Panthers training staff handled Cam Newton during the playoffs, revealed no wrong doing but another injury…

Cam Newton absorbed a hard hit from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata during a wild card playoff loss to end the season. The Carolina Panthers immediately removed Newton for evaluation but after missing just one offensive play, returned on their next possession.

Critics, of which Newton is no stranger, immediately began to cry foul on the medical staff for an improper evaluation. The Panthers quarterback went to the ground while moving to the sideline, causing many to believe he had suffered a concussion.

Following the game a joint investigation into the incident from both the NFL and NFL Players Association was launched to examine if the Panthers had violated new league protocol regarding potential head injuries.

After a thorough look into the situation, findings revealed the Panthers actually, “acted with an abundance of caution” according to a recently released NFL statement. Normal results to the sideline administration of concussion testing also prompted the following diagnosis.

"The concussion assessment was entirely normal. As a result of a normal concussion evaluation, and after consultation by the team medical staff with all the independent personnel, Mr. Newton was cleared to return to the game once his eye injury was stabilized. At no time during the remainder of the game or after the game did Mr. Newton have concussion symptoms."

Good news for the Panthers, right? Wrong.

Assessment of Newton going to the ground while moving toward the sideline after the play disclosed details about his knee injury, sustained prior to the hit in question.

More from Cat Crave

"Mr. Newton suffered a knee injury earlier in the game, which was documented by the club medical staff and is depicted on game film. This injury limited the movement of his right knee in certain positions. As a result of his knee injury when Mr. Newton elected to “take a knee” while coming off the field, he did so in an awkward fashion because he could not bend his right knee normally … An MRI of the knee the day after the game confirmed ligament and cartilage damage and very extensive swelling in the knee."

The Panthers quarterback is not expected to require surgery for any of the damages suffered to his knee but Newton is now entering a second consecutive offseason with an injury issue.

Last year, it was revealed Newton played the final three-plus games of the season with a torn rotator cuff that also initially would not require any surgical treatment. As the quarterback progressed through the rehab, pain necessitated a change in course and Newton had a procedure performed on March 30.

Next: 2018 Senior Bowl Prospects to Watch

Let’s all hope this year is different. Read the full statement from the NFL here.

Home/Carolina Panthers News