Cam Newton took another step toward starting in Sunday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Coach Ron Rivera said after practice that he wouldn't name a starter, but added that Newton is "on target" to play Sunday. When questioned whether or not he expected the quarterback to start barring any setbacks, the coach replied, "probably."
Newton took the majority of first-team reps in the Panthers' practice on Thursday after splitting reps with Derek Anderson on Wednesday, per multiple reports.
The quarterback, who was a full participant in practice, said he felt good, experienced no pain and was just taking it day by day.
"I need to be 100 percent," Newton said of returning to the lineup.
Rivera said Wednesday he wasn't ready to name a starter and that Thursday was a big day to see how the star quarterback bounced back physically after suffering two fractures to the transverse process in his back in a rollover car accident last week. Rivera will presumably see how Newton's body responds to another day of work before making an announcement.
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