CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Cam Newton gave the Panthers an early injury scare before returning to help Carolina defeat the New England Patriots 25-14 in a preseason game Friday night.
On the game's opening drive, Newton scrambled out of the pocket on third-and-9 before recklessly diving head-first - this is the preseason, after all - and landing on his head after getting upended by cornerback Jonathan Jones.
Newton was forced to leave the game to be evaluated for a concussion, but returned four plays later to a loud ovation and played the remainder of the first half.