While franchise-quarterback Cam Newton is close to returning to practice with the Carolina Panthers, head coach Ron Rivera isn't ready to put pressure on him.
Newton has missed the last four games because of a foot injury, and Rivera wouldn't confirm the report that Newton was close to returning, but made it clear he wants to make sure Newton is 100 percent when he does come back.
“Cam has epitomized what we’ve asked of him as far as being a captain,” Rivera said, via Brendan Marks of the Charlotte Observer. “When we met, we told him we’re not going to pressure you.”
There might be a little more sense of urgency from Rivera and the rest of the Panthers if the Panthers really struggling, but they aren't and there is no guarantee that Newton will even get his job back when healthy.
The Panthers have won three of the last four games and it has been key that backup quarterback Kyle Allen has been really good. Allen has completed 65 percent of his passes this year for 901 yards, seven touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Rivera said he wouldn't discuss the quarterback topic until Newton was closer to return, and soon that conversation is going to need to happen.
“I’m not going to worry about it,” Rivera said, via David Newton of ESPN. “I’m not going to speculate on anything until I have to address that. So until then, we’re going to stay in the now, stay in the focus of what we’re doing right now. As far as I’m concerned, we’re not going to deal with the question until it is time. And when the time comes, I will address it.
Whenever Newton is ready to play, Rivera is going to have a big decision to make. The situation will probably create pushback regardless of the decision.
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