Newton 'feeling great' after shoulder surgery

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton gave a positive update over the weekend about his recovery from surgery in January on his throwing shoulder.

"I'm feeling great now," Newton told ESPN's David Newton. "I feel like I do have full strength right now. But me telling the doctor, that is different than, you know, whatever the clearance process may be."

Newton said he hopes to be throwing before training camp in July.

It's the second time in the last three offseasons that Newton has gone under the knife; the arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder was done in part to remove scar tissue left from a 2017 operation to repair a partially torn rotator cuff.

With the Panthers out of the playoff race following a six-game losing streak from Weeks 10 to 15, the 2015 MVP sat out the final two games of the season.

Carolina began the year 6-2 but the offense sputtered as Newton battled with his health. The Panthers averaged just 18.8 points per game over the six-game skid (which extended to seven in Newton's first game on the sidelines), a stark drop from the 27.5 points per game they produced to start the campaign.

Newton, who turns 30 later in May, is intent on giving himself the best chance at staying healthy in 2019 and beyond, and has switched to a vegan diet and hired a personal trainer.

"Rehab is going unbelievable, especially for me during a time now, a lot of uncertainty," Newton said. "For me, the human side of me is uncertain as well.

"But with the support cast from (Ryan Vermillion), the head trainer and other people that have been working with me hands on daily, I have no doubt I'll be ready to rock and roll when they expect me to be back."