The Carolina Panthers were quick to name Kyle Allen the starter for Week 4 as Cam Newton remains out with a foot injury, and now we know why.
According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, Newton is dealing with a Linsfranc injury, which could keep him out for a significant amount of time.
“Sports medicine experts suggest a recovery period of four to eight weeks for athletes taking a non-surgical approach to a Lisfranc, depending on the severity,” Person wrote.
Person suggests Newton could sit out through the team’s bye, on Oct. 20.
He also provided more context on the injury:
“Multiple sources confirmed Newton is dealing with a Lisfranc injury, in which the ligaments of the mid-foot rupture, causing instability with the joints. Some Lisfranc injuries involve trauma to the small bones in the foot, although the Panthers’ initial wording that Newton had sustained a mid-foot sprain would suggest his is ligament-related.”
The good news for Newton is that Person reports the injury is not expected to result in surgery “at this time.”
The good news for the Panthers is that Allen was lights out in his 2019 debut in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. He passed for 261 yards and four touchdowns, injecting much-needed life into Carolina’s offense.
Up next for Allen and the Panthers is a road game against the Houston Texans this Sunday.