Cameron Jerrell Newton underwent shoulder surgery before heading into the season and there were questions raised on his ability to throw the football at the best possible level again.
Earlier this summer, while playing against the Patriots, the Panthers quarterback had an injury to his foot. He had to limp off the field and did not return.
In the match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Newton was able to play but he experienced discomfort in his foot, aggravating his pain.
At that point, his injury was considered a mild foot pain caused by a sprain. However, it looks like he has severely damaged his foot after undergoing certain investigations.
On Tuesday, Joe Person, the staff writer for The Athletic covering the Panthers, reported that Newton has been dealing with a “Lisfranc” injury and will be out of action indefinitely.
The news came after the Charlotte-based football team immediately ruled out Newton against the Houston Texans. The team announced that Kyle Allen replaces Newton.
In a statement, Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera said, “What Cam needs right now is time and rest for his foot. We want him at 100 percent when he’s ready, so there’s no exact timetable for his return. At this point, we’re going to go forward with Kyle (Allen) as our starter.”
What is Lisfranc injury?
Also called Lisfranc fracture, Lisfranc injury is a serious injury of the foot characterized by the displacement of the metatarsal bones from the tarsus. In this condition, the midfoot is affected when the bones are broken or fractured or the ligaments are ruptured or torn. In serious cases, Lisfranc injury can affect a person’s ability to run.
For Newton, this type of injury could not only jeopardize his season but also affect his ability to run, which may end his career if the condition is found severe enough. Tom Pelissero, the reporter of the NFL Network, said that current plan for the Panthers quarterback is to avoid surgery and undergo rehabilitation in hopes of making a comeback.