Cam Newton foot injury healing well, expected to be ready to practice after Panthers bye

The Carolina Panthers are headed into their bye week after winning a fourth straight game with Kyle Allen starting at quarterback. The team is expected to get a big potential return, with Adam Schefter reporting Cam Newton is expected to be ready to practice next week when the team returns from bye.

Head coach Ron Rivera refused to clarify his starting position with a healthy Newton, and naturally there is plenty of buzz. Newton is the definitively better quarterback than Allen when healthy, but we know how these debates can materialize.

Kyle Allen had a strong debut in Week 3, completing 73.1 percent of his passes and throwing four touchdowns. His numbers decreased the next two weeks, and throughout he struggled with fumbles. He bounced back in Week 6 with two touchdowns and 227 yards, but the season-long fumble problems are something that need to be considered in his performance.

Newton suffered a Lisfranc foot injury in the preseason, and struggled in the first two games. It was evident in his performance, and it made sense for things to shut down while he healed.

Fantasy football analysis, Panthers QB Cam Newton

The Panthers face a stout San Francisco 49ers defense in Week 8. Given how well the 49ers defense has performed in harassing opposing quarterbacks, would it be all that surprising if the Panthers slow-played this? Of course, they face the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers the two weeks after that, so it’s not like they move into the easiest of stretches.

The Panthers receivers have done fairly well in Newton’s absence, but he would provide an upgrade to their fantasy prospects. Allen is a strong backup and clearly worth starting right now, but once Newton is healthy, this team will get even better.