The collective dread that permeated throughout Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday night, when Carolina Panthers franchise quarterback Cam Newton walked out of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. in a medical boot, is slowly, and tentatively, lifting.



The team remains “cautiously optimistic” Newton’s mid-foot sprain will heal by Week 1 of the regular season, head coach Ron Rivera told reporters on Saturday afternoon.



In fact, a league source said Newton is expected to be on the field getting some practice reps by Monday if he continues to progress as positively as team doctors believe he will.



Newton appeared to tweak his foot while evading some of the constant blitz pressure he faced Thursday night before taking a sack and limping off the field and into the locker room.



Panic ensued from fans — and understandably so. It was a meaningless game meant to shake some rust off of starting players who had not played the previous two...