Cam Newton out, Derek Anderson named starter versus Bucs
CHARLOTTE (WTVD) -- After Tuesday's car accident, the Carolina Panthers' "Superman" under center won't fly in action on Sunday.
"Cam was discharged this morning from Carolinas Medical Center", said Panthers Director of Communications Charlie Dayton. "He's going with his family to recuperate. His spirits are high. They expected stiffness and soreness and his recovery will be day-to-day."
"I did speak with him yesterday. More than anything else, in true Cam fashion, he was disappointed for his teammates," said Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. "He feels like he is letting everyone down. Thing is, thank goodness it wasn't serious for him or the other driver. We are very fortunate. He is very fortunate."
The 25-year-old suffered two lower back fractures from the two-car vehicle wreck that occurred near Bank of America Stadium Tuesday afternoon. Newton did not suffer any internal injuries after his 1998 Dodge truck spun and flipped on Church Street after making contact with the other vehicle involved.
"His injury is very similar to what Tony Romo went through," Rivera said. The transverse process fractures caused Romo to miss one game this season for the Dallas Cowboys.
In the aftermath for Cam and the Panthers, Rivera announced that backup quarterback Derek Anderson will start in place of Newton for the team's division game against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Anderson also started in the Panthers' season opener against the Buccaneers and finished with more than 230 total yards of offense and two touchdowns in the 20-14 win.
The nine-year NFL veteran quarterback took first-team reps in Carolina's practice on Wednesday but felt the reverberation of the situation.
"The most important thing about this whole week and yesterday is the safety and health of one of my brothers," he said, "and I know we're all thinking about Cam and hoping he has a speedy recovery."
Anderson's start also signifies only the second game that Newton has missed during his NFL career.
"He's been through a lot," Anderson said. "I was telling these guys yesterday, if he could be out there, he'd be out there. He's played all season with bumps and bruises and hasn't said a word about anything."
Newton's coaches have commented that the QB hasn't been at 100 percent yet this season after dealing with an off-season ankle surgery and rib injury. For now, they hope that the franchise star can return to the field happier and healthier very soon as the Panthers continue to battle for an NFC South title.
"Head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion and our medical staff are putting together a plan as far as his rehab," Rivera said.
"We'll see how he is as he gets healthier and stronger, and hopefully he'll be back on the football field soon."
Meanwhile, a police report states that Newton was driving when a car driven by Nestor Pellot Jr., 46, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, pulled out in front of the fourth-year quarterback, causing his vehicle to flip. The report said Pellot didn't see Newton's truck at first and when he did, he tried to avoid a collision.
The report does not place blame on either driver.
However, the report lists two witnesses who said Pellot pulled out in front of Newton, causing $9,000 damage to the quarterback's 1998 Dodge truck. Pellot's 2013 Buick suffered $4,000 damage.
Like Newton, Pellot was also taken to the hospital but his injuries are unknown.
Portions from the Associated Press.
