Panthers quarterback Cam Newton faces a series of neuropsychological tests in coming days after sustaining the first documented concussion of his NFL career.
Newton’s practice workload will increase gradually depending on how he fares on the cognitive tests. An independent doctor will have to clear Newton before he’s allowed to play.
That’s the abridged version of the NFL’s concussion protocol, which the Panthers followed to a T last season when Pro Bowl middle linebacker Luke Kuechly missed three games after getting a concussion in Week 1 at Jacksonville.
But there’s nothing stopping a team from sitting a player who’s suffered a concussion on their own, regardless of what the protocol dictates.