The third preseason game is the so-called dress rehearsal. Teams are more likely to play starters into the second half. That’s how it has always been.
That seems to be changing, and we all saw why when Cam Newton left Thursday’s game with a foot injury.
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Newton was playing his first preseason game this season against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, after offseason shoulder surgery. The Panthers might have felt he needed some preseason reps, to work out his repaired shoulder in a game and to feel ready for Week 1.