Five days after throwing in team drills for the first time since July 30, the Panthers quarterback was again slinging it during team drills on Sunday.
Carolina is wisely being cautious with Newton, who’s coming off surgery in late March to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. It doesn’t take a medical degree to prove a shoulder injury and subsequent operation is important to a quarterback.
There’s little to no reason for Newton to take a single snap of game action prior to Week 1 of the regular season, which everyone involved knows. But monitoring his ability to throw in practice is important, because it serves as our sole barometer of where his shoulder is. With proper treatment and monitoring off the field, Newton should be fine come kickoff weekend.
Other injury news Sunday:
1. Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi remains in the concussion protocol
2. Tight end Travis Kelce returned to Chiefs practice Sunday.
3. Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (knee) and running back Travaris Cadet (undisclosed) were at practice but not in pads Sunday
4. Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (back spasms) and offensive tackle Dillon Gordon (hand) missed practice Sunday.
5. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was held out of practice Sunday. Coach Doug Marrone said Fournette is dealing with a nagging foot injury and missed practice for precautionary measures.
Receiver Marqise Lee was carted off the field after suffering an apparent leg injury in practice on Sunday. Marrone told reporters after practice he is unsure of the extent of Lee’s injury and the receiver is undergoing further evaluations.
6. Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder was carted off the field after suffering an apparent leg injury
7. Bears wide receiver Markus Wheaton broke his finger in practice on Sunday, the team announced. Wheaton had been previously sidelined during training camp after undergoing an appendectomy.
8. The Colts announced that linebacker Sean Spence suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday’s preseason contest against the Lions, and will not return to the game.
