Panthers' Newton probable Sunday vs. Browns: 'If I can play, we all know I want to play'

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton appears set to make his return as he has officially been ruled as probable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

The Panthers have yet to officially name him the starter, as they're still awaiting clearance from team doctors, but his probable designation is a good sign for his status.

"Right now, everything is pointing in the right direction," said head coach Ron Rivera. "The reason I haven't said anything (definitive) is because of that one big thing, waiting for doctors to tell me they feel good about it." 

Rivera added that he's "very comfortable and confident" that Newton will be under center Sunday. 

"He did a lot of turning and twisting today. We put a lot of pressure on it. We had to do some things on purpose just so we could see. He seems to be right on track. He looked good during warm-ups. He's had no ill effects every morning." 

Despite a 5-8-1 record, the Panthers find themselves right in the thick of the NFC South race, and Newton's return after a one-game absence would certainly help their chances over the last two weeks of the regular season.

"If I can play, we all know I want to play," Newton said. "But at the end of the day, I won't jeopardize what we have the opportunity to do just because of my selfishness to say, 'Oooh, I'm a tough man.'" 

Newton had his most impressive performance of the year prior to suffering two lower back fractures in a car accident, throwing for three touchdowns and running for another in a 41-10 blowout win over the New Orleans Saints.