Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton won’t suit up this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thanks to a head injury suffered the week prior.
One of the NFL’s most versatile and athletic players, Newton took a shot on the head last week and will have to give starting duties to Derek Anderson for the time being.
While Anderson starts, Newton will have to ponder changes to the way he plays the game at the request of his friends and family, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Those close to Newton have urged him to get down, out of bounds or into the end zone quicker than he did last week, when he allowed the Falcons a free shot at him, and he has acknowledged the message and said he will do a better job of protecting himself when he can, sources said.
Newton has been incredibly durable over the course of his six-year career given his play style. He’s only missed two games out of the past five seasons before this week.
Still, it’s hard to imagine this is the first time those around him have asked him to mix it up for the sake of his health. This issue must be notably bad, as the Panthers sit on a 1-3 record and need Newton now more than usual.
When Newton does return to the field, keep an eye on whether this injury and talk from those around him has had an impact on how he approaches the game.
