Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is to undergo surgery to repair a damaged rotator cuff but is expected to be fit for pre-season, the team said Tuesday.
Panthers officials said Newton faced the operation to repair damage sustained during a game against the San Diego Chargers in week 14 of last season.
The decision to go under the knife was taken after Newton’s rehabilitation from the injury failed to go as planned.
“We developed a plan for Cam to take a period of rest, a period of rehabilitation and treatment, and then start a gradual throwing program the first part of March,” Panthers head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion said.
“Cam started his program, and the early parts of his rehab had been going well. However, as we worked to advance him into the next stage — the strengthening stage, the throwing stage — he started to have an increase in his pain level and started having pain while throwing.
“As a result, Dr. Pat Connor (head team physician) felt the most prudent procedure would be to arthroscopically repair the shoulder.”
Newton, 27, passed for 3,509 yards with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season in a largely disappointing campaign for Carolina, who finished 6-10 and failed to reach the playoffs.
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