Cam Newton has hairline fracture in ribs

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Cam Newton has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his ribs, but the Panthers are optimistic he will play in Week 1.
Coach Ron Rivera said Sunday he "thinks" Newton will play Week 1 at Tampa Bay. The September 7 opener is exactly two weeks away. Newton will obviously be held out of Carolina's preseason finale. Newton's rib and ankle injuries are an increasing concern for his mobility and rushing potential, as OC Mike Shula may scale back designed runs in an effort to keep his quarterback healthy. Those worries are still baked into Newton's mid- to late-seventh-round ADP, where he is a value pick. This latest news will probably push him into the eighth round of 12-team drafts.

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