Cam Newton got great news on his injured foot Tuesday as Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told reporters that his Pro Bowl quarterback should be ready to suit up Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Newton was injured in last Thursday’s preseason game against the New England Patriots on this third series. When asked if his quarterback would be ready, Rivera was emphatic.
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Rivera told The Athletic.
Ron Rivera: “There’s no doubt in my mind” that Cam Newton will be ready for Week 1.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 27, 2019
The Panthers quarterback was shelved in the final two games last season due to shoulder issues that were a concern all offseason. Now, the worry has moved to his foot, but both seem to be a non-issue now. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Gano’s leg injury might cost him time
The Panthers aren’t nearly as excited about the status of their kicker, Graham Gano. The kicker has been dealing with a leg injury and Rivera has no clue when he’ll be ready.
“Hopefully what’ll happen is, in the next day or two as he (Gano) continues going through his process of working back to health, we’ll know whether he’s going to kick or not,” Rivera told the Charlotte Observer. “If he’s able to, he most certainly will. That’s for sure.”
Carolina Panthers Getting Nervous About Kicker Graham Gano’s Availability for the Opener pic.twitter.com/vcV3sCZWjM
— NFL daily news (@CardNfl) August 27, 2019
Gano has been dealing with the injury all camp and the Panthers have relied on rookie Joey Slye for their field goals and extra points in the preseason. Still, the prospect of starting off against the Rams without Gano is weighing on Rivera’s mind.
“It is uneasy, to be honest with you,” Rivera said. “Because again, you want him (Gano) to be able to kick to make sure everything’s fine. We’ll know hopefully in the next day or two.”
Gano was injured most of last season, but kicked through it. He hit 87.5 percent of his field goals and 90.9 percent of his extra points.
