Cam Newton Concussion Protocol To Be Reviewed By NFL, NFLPA

CHARLOTTE, NC — In the fourth quarter of Sunday's game between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints, star quarterback Cam Newton took a huge hit from defensive tackle David Onyemata. The hit left Newton on the ground for quite some time. As he was walked toward the sideline, Newton appeared to stumble to one knee and he briefly pointed toward his right eye. He sat out one play, but returned to the field the very next offensive series and finished the game.

Now, the NFL and NFL Players Association say they'll jointly review whether the Panthers properly handled the concussion protocol. If not, the team could face punishment, including a $150,000 fine.

Interim general manager Marty Hurney insists the Panthers followed the proper procedures during Sunday's 31-26 playoff loss.

"He took a hit. But when he walked off and he told the trainers he got poked in the eye, then they did take him into the tent and checked him for a concussion, which he did not have," Hurney said. "And it was really getting poked in the eye."

Newton was told by trainers to take a knee, Hurney said, so the team could call an official timeout and give backup quarterback Derek Anderson an opportunity to warm up. Anderson came in for one third down play and was nearly picked off.

However, the question could become whether or not Newton should have been taken to the locker room for evaluations.

The league and the players union changed its concussion protocol last month after Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage returned to the field after having a concussion that left the quarterback's hands shaking after a hit.

The changes to the protocol include the requirement of a locker room concussion evaluation for all players "demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g., stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand.)"

Newton did not visit the locker room.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he is very confident that the protocol was followed correctly.

"Based on what the young man (Newton) said to me, that is what I believe happened," Rivera said. "And again, from that point on I don't think anything else needs to be said about it."

Newton said after the game Sunday that "precautionary concussion protocol things" happened, but "it wasn't my head. It was my eye. My helmet had come down low enough over my eyelid and it got pressed by the player's stomach."

The Panthers were investigated once before in the 2016 season opener at Denver when Newton took a blow to the head but remained in the game.

It was later determined the Panthers handled that situation correctly and no fines were handed out.

The Seattle Seahawks were fined $100,000 in Week 10 after the league and union determined they failed to apply the concussion protocol properly after quarterback Russell Wilson took a blow to the head against the Arizona Cardinals.

SACK: @aces_e lookin' like the next WWE star #SaintsGameday | #CARvsNO pic.twitter.com/n8KkEMJRDu
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 8, 2018

By STEVE REED, AP Sports Writer

Photo credit: Bill Feig/Associated Press