Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will undergo foot surgery, according to Tiffany Blackmon of NFL.com (on Twitter). The operation will completely rule Newton out for the remainder of the year, though he was unlikely to return from injured reserve even before the news. 
[RELATED: Panthers Fire Ron Rivera]
The surgery to repair his Lisfranc injury has a recovery time table of 8-10 weeks, typically. At worst, it’ll take three months for Newton to bounce back.
In theory, Newton could have held off on surgery to leave the door open for a playoff return. But, at 5-7, the Panthers have less than a 1% chance of reaching the postseason. Kyle Allen figures to handle starting duties the rest of the way, with serious question marks about what the Panthers will do under center in 2020.
With $18.6MM owed to him in 2020, plus a $2MM option bonus, Newton seems unlikely to return. That’s particularly true after Tuesday’s firing of head coach Ron Rivera – the Panthers seem prepared to start fresh.
Meanwhile, Allen is making just $495K this year and will be an exclusive rights free agent in 2020 and 2021. After that, he’ll be an RFA for 2022. The Panthers could extend Allen at any time, or leave things as-is and have a starting quarterback at a dirt cheap rate.
Take a flyer on him Bucs! Can’t be worse than Winston (other than the obvious health issues)
I mean KD and Simmons missed entire seasons in the NBA. How is Cam’s recovery going to be different?
I’m curious about this as well. This is a devastating injury in the NBA, and I know there’s less constant jumping and landing in the NFL but feet is feet. Still plenty of force (and Cam is almost an NBA sized body already) being applied to the injured foot. I guess I don’t really doubt the medical professionals, I’m just curious why his is different than theirs.
Didn’t this injury happen in the 3rd preseason game? A little slow deciding on surgery. Cam was ruled out weeks ago. Seems like he wants out of Carolina as well.
Think he’d be perfect for Nagy’s scheme. Depending on the cost have him and Mitch duke it out next year. He might come here because the Bears have weapons. Bears have bullets but no gun.
Are you crazy? The last thing the Bears need is a QB who would be more of a prima donna than Cutler tried to be.
I’m not crazy. My mom had me tested. I’m officially eccentric, but not rich.
Cam and Rivera replace Trubisky and Nagy in Chicago next year