News & Info/Headlines
According to the team's official web site, Cam Newton is having surgery on his throwing shoulder on March 30.
The injury occurred against the Chargers in Week 14 of last season. Newton finished the game, and the following week, an MRI revealed a partially torn rotator cuff.
Newton did not miss any snaps in the remaining three games, and after the season concluded, a number of MRIs were performed to monitor his progress. Newton also saw a rehabilitation specialist in Atlanta who was in daily contact with the team's head trainer, Ryan Vermillion.
"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," 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."
The team then decided arthroscopic surgery was the best course of action.
Newton has missed just three games in six NFL seasons. He underwent ankle surgery prior to the 2014 season, which is the only other the time he's been unavailable for OTA and minicamp practices.
Newton has been working out throughout the offseason, and head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Dave Gettleman have indicated he's in tremendous physical shape.
Following surgery, he will begin rehabbing the shoulder while continuing to condition his body for the 2017 season.
Twelve weeks after the surgery, Newton will begin an early throwing program . If he progresses well he will start throwing with the team at 16 weeks after surgery and his condition will be monitored closely.
The Panthers' goal is to have him back at the start of training camp.
Coming off a disappointing 2016 campaign, Newton was almost certain to come cheaper in this year's draft than he did last season.
Now, even if his recovery goes as planned, the discount will be even deeper. That's something sharp fantasy owners should be ready to take advantage of if his recovery remains on schedule.
We'll be watching for more, so stay tuned.