Panthers fans will continue to wait for a fresh look at Cam Newton.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Friday that Carolina's quarterback won't dress for Saturday's preseason bout with the Tennessee Titans, which will air at 3 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
It's not a surprise after NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport noted Thursday that Newton was "unlikely" to play this week as he continues to rest his surgically repaired shoulder.
Pelissero tweeted that the 28-year-old passer is "throwing more each day [and] feels fine," per a source, adding that Newton is "on track" for Carolina's third preseason affair next week against the Jaguars.
"It certainly seems ... that he's coming out on the correct end of this shoulder surgery," Rapoport told NFL Network on Thursday, noting that the team believes they'll finally be through with Newton's rehab process when he, at last, sees live action.
"You could tell he was rusty," Rivera said Thursday of his quarterback's practice work, per ESPN. "A couple late [balls] on the decisions he made. When he was throwing the ball, he was throwing the ball well, so we're not concerned about that.
"Now it's just a matter of him working himself back into shape where he can go out and take normal reps instead of us having to make sure we monitor him."
That's always been the goal -- one that has led to a cautious and measured approach by the Panthers. While it's fair to wonder if Newton's rustiness could extend into September, the club had no choice but take it slow with their most important player.
A team source told NFL Network's Tiffany Blackmon that while they are working to see Newton in a preseason game, that it's not necessarily that important to have him play. The source said that they are going to increase his work this coming week and added, "We are building up to see where he is each day. So far so good."
