Cam Newton is optimistic about his chances of playing in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is mulling the possibility of sitting his star quarterback.
Appearing on NFL GameDay First, Rapoport said Rivera might sit Newton on Sunday in order to get him completely healthy for the remaining 15 games of the season.
Newton, who suffered a fractured rib in a preseason loss to the New England Patriots, was a full participant in Friday's practice, but is officially listed as questionable for Sunday.
FOX Sports analyst Ronde Barber told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Saturday that Newton and Panthers backup Derek Anderson were both in attendance for Saturday's mandatory production meeting with FOX. Typically, only coaches, coordinators, and a handful of starters attend pregame production meetings.
If Newton does not play Sunday, Anderson will get the start.
