Cam Newton underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, surprising many. But the Carolina Panthers quarterback is on track to begin throwing during minicamp, which takes place from June 13-15.
Ron Rivera says Cam Newton should throw at next week's minicamp, likely on the side.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) June 5, 2017
This is great news for the Panthers. They are trying to rebound from a terrible Super Bowl hangover season in 2016 in which they finished last place in the NFC South with a record of 6-10. Newton was banged up throughout the campaign, battling through injuries thanks to some awful protection up front.
Carolina still might have issues on its offensive line after having brought in Matt Kalil to protect Newton’s blind side. But the team did seriously bolster its arsenal of weapons for Newton in the passing game, which could also significantly alter how long he has to hold onto the ball looking for open receivers.
In particular, drafting Christian McCaffrey (who’s earning rave reviews already) and Curtis Samuel should make an immediate, positive impact for Newton and the Panthers.
One of the most dynamic players at any position in the NFL, Newton is a candidate for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2017. Getting healthy is the first step in this process. It’s going to be interesting to track his progress this summer as he prepares to get himself and his team back on track.