Carolina's turbulent season has taken another possible dangerous turn.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton headed to the locker room in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. The defending MVP was evaluated for a concussion. The Panthers announced that since Newton was in concussion protocol, he would not be available for postgame interviews.
Derek Anderson replaced Newton at QB following the injury. Carolina went on to lose 48-33 to Atlanta, falling to 1-3 on the season.
Newton suffered the injury when he scrambled into the end zone on a two-point conversion. Coach Ron Rivera did not have a specific update on his field general's status after the game, but noted Newton "probably" could have avoided the hit.
The star quarterback accumulated 165 yards through the air before his early exit, including a 6-yard scoring toss to Kelvin Benjamin, along with 30 more on the ground.
Anderson actually filled in nicely to start, completing 16 of his first 19 throws to make it a one-score game late in the fourth quarter. Two back-breaking interceptions, including a pick-six, on his final two drives, however, sealed the Panthers' losing fate.
