Cam Newton: Transverse Process Fractures, Can He Return?

Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers was involved in a car wreck yesterday. It was revealed that he suffered two transverse process fractures of his vertebrae. That means that Newton’s back got dinged good, and he is lucky there was not more damage.

The House of Pain

Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer reports that while the injury itself is minor, the pain generated by such an injury has to be managed for at least a month after the accident.

Jones spoke to a Dr. Ty Thaiyananthan, a neurosurgeon. Thaiyananthan said that Newton’s return to play was all about his ability to endure pain. The first week is pretty bad, which puts Cam out against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That would put Tampa Bay nemesis Derek Anderson back in the saddle for the second time this season. This time Anderson would have to do it with a weakened offensive line and without Greg Hardy.

Because of the pain aspect, several warning signs go off. One there are pain killers that are quite good at what they do these days. They are also addictive. Brett Farve had such an addiction that he had to fight during his career. Consistent shots of cortisone take their toll too, as Fran Tarkenton discovered when he had his shoulder replaced after retirement. Let the Panthers sit Cam and avoid this road, because Cam will want to play and may become susceptible to it.

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Cam Newton’s Predecessors

Cam might not need to be out too long. Jones reported that Tony Romo suffered a similar injury against the Redskins. He was out for about two weeks, missing one game.

Jones also pointed out that Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty had a similar injury against SMU early this season. Petty was also out for about two weeks and missed one start.

The Panthers are still in the playoff hunt. Can Derek Anderson beat the Buccaneers again to pass the baton back to Cam in time for the Browns? Or has this car wreck decided the Panthers’ season?

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