Cam Newton Released From Hospital, Derek Anderson Will Start Sunday

Some good news and bad news for the Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton was finally released from the hospital and only diagnosed with the two fractures in his back — again, the same injury that has plagued Tony Romo throughout the 2014 season. On top of this, the Charlotte police has announced that Newton will not be charged for yesterday’s accident: according to the police report, “[Nestor Pellott Jr.] pulled out onto S. Church Street from W. Hill Street and did not see Newton approaching in his pickup truck… Pellott was doing about 20 miles per hour at the time of impact and Newton was doing the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour.”

At the same time, it has been announced that Derek Anderson will be the starting QB Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anderson is a bit of a journeyman, who spent his first four years with Cleveland, before going to Arizona and finally securing a back up job in Carolina. The QB did start week one for an injured Newton — coincidentally against the awful Bucs — where he had a 70.59 completion percentage, 230 yards and 2 touchdowns.

It is sad that Newton will be unable to play Sunday, but it is a miracle that he emerged from this accident alive — the pictures looked a lot worse than what happened. Hopefully, if Romo is any indication, fans will be seeing Cam back for week 16’s bout against the Cleveland Browns — with the NFC South being so bad, the Panthers could still make the playoffs, but would likely have to win out if they have any semblance of a shot.