Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was involved in a car accident Tuesday in downtown Charlotte, N.C., and the Panthers say he sustained two fractures in his lower back but no other major injuries.
Newton was injured when his car crashed on the Church Street bridge, a few blocks from Bank of America Stadium, where the Panthers practice and play. One other vehicle was said to have been involved. Photos of the scene showed what was reported to be Newton’s truck overturned. He was treated at the scene by emergency personnel and transported to a hospital by ambulance.
A team spokesman, Charlie Dayton, said at a news conference that Newton underwent tests that revealed two transverse process fractures in his lower back and would remain hospitalized overnight for observation. Dayton said the injury would not require surgery.Newton, 25, is in his fourth season with the Panthers. They selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 N.F.L. draft after his college career at Auburn.
The Panthers (4-8-1) beat the Saints, 41-10, in New Orleans on Sunday.
The prognosis for Newton was not announced, but his injury is similar to one sustained by Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, although Romo was injured in a game in October and not in an accident. He missed one game before returning to play, although he said recently that the fractures were still healing.
Derek Anderson is the team’s backup quarterback and will be first in line to replace Newton if he is unable to play Sunday against Tampa Bay (2-10). Anderson started and led Carolina to a season-opening victory against the Buccaneers.
Source: nytimes
No comments