The Carolina Panthers will have Derek Anderson under center on Sunday, as he will start in Week 15 following Cam Newton's car crash and now Newton's status is uncertain for the rest of the season and he could be out over the next two weeks after fracturing his back in the accident.
According to ESPN.com, Newton will be out for Week 15 and his status for the following game is also up in the air after his accident. ESPN reports that Newton is dealing with two small fractures in his lower back and that the injury is similar to what Tony Romo had earlier this year. Newton could come back and start later in the season, but right now he is out for Week 15 and Joe Webb will be serving as the backup for Anderson in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Newton said he was lucky to be alive and that he is not worried about coming back right now. The team is just 4-8-1 on the season, but they are alive in the division race. The team plays Tampa this week and they have the Saints and Falcons ahead of them by a game. Head coach Ron Rivera said that it will be decided week to week what happens with Newton and he may return next week against the Browns on December 21.
"The most important thing about this whole week is the safety and health of one of my brothers," Anderson said. "He's been through a lot. If he could be out there, he'd be out there."
