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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suffered a pair of transverse fractures in his lower back in a car accident on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The quarterback won't face charges for the crash, according to Charlotte police. The quarterback returned to Carolina's facility two days after the accident.

Newton did not play in Week 15, but will start in Week 16 against the Browns.

Continue for updates.

Newton Active vs. Browns

Sunday, Dec. 21

The Panthers announced Newton would start today:

Yesterday, the NFL provided revealed Newton would play, courtesy of reporter Ian Rapoport:

Newton Listed as Probable for Week 16

Friday, Dec. 19

Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com, the Panthers and Steve Reed of the Associated Press provide the latest on Newton's status for Week 16:

Newton Full Participant in Practice, Takes Most First-Team Reps

Thursday, Dec. 18

The Carolina Panthers provide an update on Newton's status and comments from head coach Ron Rivera:

Steve Reed of The Associated Press reported on Newton from Panthers practice, saying the star quarterback took the majority of the first-team reps. The Black & Blue Review also chimed in on how Newton looked:

Newton Returns to Practice

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer shared video of Cam Newton from Panthers practice as the team prepares for Week 16:

Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer and David Newton of ESPN weighed in on what they were seeing from the star quarterback:

Ron Rivera also spoke about the chances of Newton returning to the lineup for Week 16, via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan:

Jeff Darlington of NFL.com added more from the head coach:

Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer reported that Rivera won't name a starter yet:

David Newton of ESPN reported on Newton's official status from today's practice:

Newton is trying to return after missing Week 15's game vs. Tampa Bay because of injuries sustained in a car accident.

Rivera, Shula Comment on Newton's Status After Week 15

Monday, Dec. 15

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer passed along comments from Ron Rivera on Cam Newton's status after missing the Panthers' Week 15 win over Tampa Bay:

But Rivera said ultimately it will come down the coach's confidence that he won't be exposing Newton to further injury by playing him against the Browns. 'I don’t want to put a guy out there that can’t protect himself,' Rivera said Monday. 'By that it’s being able to run out of the way, scramble out of the way, stay alive, keep the play alive by being able to get away. That’s all part of it. That’s all part of the decision that went into the first Tampa Bay game.'

Mike Shula also commented on Newton as he tries to return to the Panthers' lineup, via Black and Blue Review:

Newton Expected to Return for Week 16

Sunday, Dec. 14

"#Panthers are optimistic that QB Cam Newton (2 back fractures) will be ready to play next week, source said. Will take it day-to-day," reported Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

However, coach Ron Rivera will not make his decision quickly according to Steve Reed of the Associated Press:

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said it's too soon to know who will start at quarterback next Sunday when the Panthers host the Cleveland Browns. Rivera said he won't make any decisions until possibly mid-week on Newton, who is recovering from two lower back fractures after flipping his truck on Tuesday in a two-car wreck. "I'm not making any decisions until I get the opportunity to watch him on the football field, listen to what the trainers and doctors have to tell me, and then we will make our decision," Rivera said. "But to make any judgment right now would be premature and would be a mistake."

Newton Speaks About Accident

Thursday, Dec. 11

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer provides Newton's words on the car accident:

Newton Returns to Panthers Facility

Thursday, Dec. 11

Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer has an update on Newton's status:

Less than a day after being discharged from the hospital, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was at the team facilities in meetings and getting treatment. A team source within the Panthers’ facilities told the Observer Newton was in Bank of America Stadium Thursday morning, one day after he stayed at home with his family to rest and recuperate after being discharged.

Rivera Speaks on Newton's Status

Thursday, Dec. 11

Ron Rivera spoke on Newton, his heath and status going forward as the Panthers approach the end of the season, via the Panthers, Steve Reed of the Associated Press and David Newton of ESPN:

Newton Comments on Crash, Rivera Comments on Newton's Injury

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Via his Instagram account, Cam Newton updated fans on his status after yesterday's car crash:

The Panthers' official Twitter feed provided head coach Ron Rivera's comments on the injury:

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer notes that the Panthers are still testing the quarterback's pain tolerance:

ESPN's David Newton provided Rivera's thoughts on Newton's timeline:

Newton also noted that Rivera hadn't talked to Cam about the fact he wouldn't be starting:

The Panthers also noted that Rivera felt encouraged after talking to his quarterback:

Newton Will Not Play in Week 15

Wednesday, Dec. 10

The Carolina Panthers confirmed that Derek Anderson will start in Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay.

Newton Won't Face Charges for Crash

Wednesday, Dec. 10

According to Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer, Cam Newton won't face charges from the car crash on Tuesday:

Newton Released from Hospital

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer reported on Newton's exit from the hospital and his condition:

Newton Hurt in Crash

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was involved in a Tuesday morning car crash. The Charlotte Police Department released a statement, via James Hill of ABC:

The Panthers reveal Newton's diagnosis:

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes it is the same injury Tony Romo sustained earlier in the season:

Derek Rowles of ABC 11 in Raleigh reports Newton will remain in the hospital for observation:

Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer initially reported details on the accident:

A car crashed and overturned on the Church Street bridge over I-277 about 12:30 p.m. and ambulances are on the scene. A second car involved in the crash is also in the road, near Hill Street. An Observer photographer at the scene said Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was injured in the wreck. Rescuers have closed outbound Church Street at Stonewall.

The Charlotte Observer provided video from the scene:

The Charlotte Observer passed along eyewitness accounts of the accident:

Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer has details on Newton's status:

Person also passed along comments from Panthers owner Jerry Richardson:

Jones and Kami Mattioli of Sporting News reported more details:

Steve Crump of WBTV in Charlotte reports that Newton was taken to the hospital as a precaution:

The Charlotte Observer reported that Newton was conscious and smiling after the crash:

Jones tweeted photos of Newton being loaded into an ambulance and of the vehicles involved in the accident:

Amanda Bazemore of WBTV has a close-up of Newton being loaded into the ambulance:

Becky Bereiter of Time Warner Cable News Charlotte and Derek Medlin of WRAL provided more photos of the scene:

The Panthers released a statement on the incident:

Brett Jensen of WBT 1110 AM in Charlotte reports several people from the Panthers organization are already at the hospital visiting Newton:

The quarterback shined in the Panthers' most recent game was in Week 14, a 41-10 road victory over the New Orleans Saints. Newton was 21-of-33 for 226 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

The Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

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