Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is likely to miss this week’s game against Tampa Bay after sustaining two fractures in his lower back during a two-car accident Tuesday afternoon a block from Bank of America Stadium.
Panthers spokesman Charlie Dayton said tests revealed two transverse process fractures in Newton’s back, but no other internal injuries.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had the same injury this season, and missed one game before returning to action.
The Panthers said their first concern was the health of their franchise quarterback and that of the other driver in the wreck that resulted in Newton’s Dodge Ram pickup overturning several times on Church Street, just about a block from the stadium.
“Right now it’s all about Cam’s well-being,” Dayton said. “I understand there was someone else in the other car who was injured. Just hope that they’re all OK.”
Newton was transported to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was to be held Tuesday night for observation. The condition of the other driver is unknown.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera will address Newton’s status Wednesday. But Newton’s injuries likely will keep him out of Sunday’s home game against the Buccaneers, team sources said.
Newton sat out a Week 1 win at Tampa Bay with fractured ribs, the only game he’s missed during his four-year NFL career.
Backup quarterback Derek Anderson started in place of Newton in the Panthers’ 20-14 win in the opener. Anderson, a nine-year veteran, completed 24 of 34 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.
Anderson has appeared in mop-up duty in four other games this season. He’s completing 70 percent of his passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions.
Newton underwent surgery in March to tighten the ligaments in his left ankle and was sidelined for all but one practice during organized team activities and a three-day minicamp last spring. Newton was limited for much of training camp, then injured his ribs during the third exhibition at New England.
The Panthers trail both New Orleans (5-8) and Atlanta (5-8) by a half-game with three games remaining. The team is hopeful Newton will be available for the stretch run.
At least one teammate is confident Newton will be back.
“He’s going to be fine. I mean, Superman, he’s got to be fine,” cornerback Josh Norman, referring to Newton’s signature touchdown celebration. “We’re going to need that guy.”
Browns to start Johnny Manziel
CLEVELAND — Johnny Football’s days as a backup are over this season.
He’s getting his chance to start.
Rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel will make his first NFL start Sunday against Cincinnati, replacing the slumping Brian Hoyer as Cleveland tries to pump life into its sagging playoff hopes.
After moving up in May’s draft to get him and waiting seven months as he learned and watched from the sideline, the Browns are finally setting one of college football’s most captivating players loose with three games left in the season.
Browns coach Mike Pettine made the expected switch on Tuesday after meeting with his staff and general manager Ray Farmer, then informing both quarterbacks. Many Browns fans have wanted the change for weeks as they watched Hoyer fumble away his dream job.
Pettine said in a statement that the switch isn’t about Hoyer or Manziel, but about the Browns.
“We are trying to get the offense to perform at a higher level,” he said. “Johnny has worked very hard to earn this opportunity and it will be very important for every member of the offense to elevate their play for us to obtain our desired result.”
Manziel’s debut start will come in Cleveland’s final home game, against a Bengals team Hoyer beat on Nov. 6. Manziel will try to show the Browns he can be the franchise quarterback they’ve coveted for two decades.
Manziel is the Browns’ 21st starting quarterback since 1999.
Texans’ Clowney has microfracture knee surgery
HOUSTON — Houston’s Jadeveon Clowney, the top overall pick in this year’s draft, had microfracture surgery on his right knee.
General manager Rick Smith said Clowney had the surgery on Monday.
The Texans said last week that Clowney would have season-ending knee surgery, but did not specify what that surgery would be. This surgery was the second this season for the outside linebacker. He had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee after being injured in Week 1.
He played three games since the first procedure but continued to struggle with pain and swelling in his knee.
He saw his most extensive action of the season against the Bengals on Nov. 23, when he was in for about 50 plays and had three tackles, including one for a loss. But he experienced swelling in his knee after that and missed his eighth game of the year a week later.
Saints release receiver Joe Morgan
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints have cut receiver Joe Morgan.
The move appeared on Tuesday’s list of transactions posted by the NFL.
Morgan’s release comes a day after coach Sean Payton, whose team has lost four of five games, warned that he would not rule out any lineup changes.
Morgan had four catches for 92 yards this season. He played during Sunday’s 41-10 loss to Carolina.
Payton had stuck with Morgan through injuries that wiped out his 2011 and 2013 seasons and an offseason drunk driving arrest since the receiver joined the club as an undrafted rookie in 2011.
Payton also suspended Morgan for two games earlier this season for undisclosed reasons.
By wire sources