Cam Newton is still out. He's also still on the Panthers' active roster. After a weekend of speculation about Newton possibly being shut down for the rest of the season, Carolina coach Ron Rivera kept his comments brief regarding his quarterback situation for this week.
Kyle Allen will continue to start this week, and Newton will continue to rehab the foot injury that has sidelined him since Week 2.
"I have nothing to add," Rivera then said. "... I don't know who's talking. But we're not talking. I know that much."
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier Monday there's still no timetable for Newton's return. It's still possible that his ailing foot will force him to injured reserve, which would officially end what has been a lost season for the former MVP. But with his team in the thick of the wildcard hunt at 5-3, Newton might prefer to wait things out in hopes of eventually being cleared. Rivera reiterated he had nothing to add when asked if he and the franchise QB spoke Monday morning.
On Sunday, Allen won for the fifth time in six tries. The second-year QB threw a pair of touchdowns and completed 17 of 32 passes for 232 yards against the Titans. He's now thrown nine TDs to just four INTs on the season.
He might have another weapon at his disposal when Carolina squares off with the NFC North-leading Packers this weekend in Green Bay. The Panthers claimed wide receiver Donte Moncrief off waivers from the Steelers. The veteran wideout was waived over the weekend after catching four passes in five games with Pittsburgh.
Here is other NFL news we're monitoring Monday:
»Dallas Cowboys safety Jeff Heath left their win over the Giants with a knee injury.
The Cowboys announced the following inactives for Monday Night Football: WR Cedrick Wilson, WR Devin Smith, LB Leighton Vander Esch, DE Joe Jackson, OL Adam Redmond, T Cameron Fleming and DT Trysten Hill.
The New York Giants announced the following inactives: WR Sterling Shepard (concussion), QB Alex Tanney, OT Eric Smith, OL Chad Slade, OLB Chris Peace, LB Devonte Downs and DL R.J. McIntosh.
» New York Jets coach Adam Gase said running back Le'Veon Bell had an MRI on his knee and the team is awaiting results. Bell had 25 touches versus the Dolphins this past Sunday, his second-highest total of the season.
» Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is having surgery Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury, the team announced. Jackson will likely miss the remainder of the season, Rapoport reported, per sources. The veteran aggravated his abdomen injury Sunday against the Bears, his first action since Week 2.
»Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed that WR Josh Gordon (knee) has been cleared to practice and will do so this week. Carroll also said that the team plans to wait and see how Gordon fits in before fully wokring him into the gameplan.
» The Los Angeles Rams announced that WR Brandin Cooks (concussion) has been upgraded to day-to-day and LB Clay Matthews (broken jaw) is expected to return to the practice field this week. Cooks was injured early in the Week 8 matchup against the Bengals; it was his second concussion this season (Week 5 vs. Seahawks). Matthews hasn't played since getting injured in Week 5. The Rams will face the Steelers in Week 10 after being having their bye last week.
» Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said it's possible that cornerback Malcolm Butler (wrist) will miss the rest of the season. Rapoport reported Sunday that Butler broke his wrist during Tennessee's loss to the Panthers.
» Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said he expects tight end O.J. Howard to return this week. Howard missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury.
»Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said wideout Preston Williams' season is over after suffering a knee injury vs the Jets.
» The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a deal with punter Ryan Allen.
»Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was noncommittal about when wide receiver Adam Thielen will return from his hamstring injury. "Whenever the doctor says he's ready to play, he's ready," Zimmer told reporters.
»Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich told reporters quarterback Jacoby Brissettsprained his MCL but he's "optimistic" Brissett can play Sunday versus the Dolphins.
»The Oakland Raiders released linebacker Brandon*Marshall* and activated cornerback Isaiah Johnson to the active roster. Oakland coach Jon Gruden said offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee) and cornerback Daryl Worley (Achilles) are getting MRIs on Monday, while defensive end Arden Key might have a broken foot.
Free-agent safeties D.J. Swearinger and Treston Decoud are working out for the Raiders, per Rapoport.
