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Panthers coach Ron Rivera doesn’t know what quarterback Cam Newton’s status for this week is.

But he has a pretty good idea of what Ron Rivera the linebacker would have done in a similar situation.

When about by reporters about the hit Newton took from Falcons linebacker Deion Jones which left the MVP with a concussion, Rivera sounded very much like a former defensive player. He mentioned the fact it was near the goal line made it a hard call, but his roots were showing.

“It’s a judgement call, but If I was playing, I would have taken a shot,” Rivera said.

Rivera also pointed out, as we mentioned this morning, that Newton puts himself in harm’s way at times with his running style.

“Cam is going to fight and scratch and claw and because of it sometimes he gets exposed” to hits, Rivera said.

Since he’s in the concussion protocol, Newton will have to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can return to the field. Backup quarterback Derek Anderson finished yesterday’s game and would start next Monday’s game against the Buccaneers if Newton doesn’t return.