By William Zhang
Last Tuesday, Carolina Panthers QB, Cam Newton was involved in a two car accident near the team’s stadium around noon. Cam Newton’s truck was flipped onto its side with a flattened roof after the accident. According to witnesses, a car pull out in front of Cam’s truck causing the two cars to collide. When both cars, travelling at 35 mph each, collided, Cam’s car flipped twice before landing on its side. No charges will be filed since neither driver was to blame for the accident. After, he was taken to the hospital it was discovered that he suffered 2 transverse process fractures in his lower back. It typically takes 4-6 weeks for a fracture to fully heal, but is fellow QB, Tony Romo suffered this exact same injury last season and missed only one game. Cam’s return will be based on how he feels. This injury makes it very painful for quarterbacks to move and throw. Despite only having a back injury an extensive amount of trauma was suffered after his car flipped over.
In a press conference on Thursday, Newton was grateful that no one was seriously hurt stating, “…I’m surprised to be here, every time I see that glimpse or see that flashback of looking at that truck, I’m surprised that nothing seriously was done to me.” He then went on to thank everyone for all the support he received. He told the media he was feeling great, with only general soreness and pain in his back. Newton missed that week’s game against divisional opponent, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, backup QB Derek Anderson will started.
Newton should be back by week 17 with a big game against division rival Falcons, since it’s such as pivotal game with major playoff implications. The Panthers, who are currently (4-8-1) trial both the Saint and Falcons who sit at (5-8) with 3 games remaining. Even though this division is the worst in the NFL, it should be a very close race for first place as the playoffs quickly approach.
