Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was not on the field on Thursday morning as the team began practice.
Newton and left tackle Michael Oher were absent as both remain in the league’s concussion protocol. The pair has an extra day of healing as the Panthers (1-3) host the NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) on Monday night (8:30 p.m. ET).
Derek Anderson would start that contest if the league’s reigning MVP is unable to play.
Back in 2014, there were doubts about Newton’s health ahead of each matchup with the Buccaneers. He ended up sitting out both games while Anderson went 2-0.
Newton sustained his first documented concussion on Sunday when he took a legal helmet-to-helmet hit from Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Deion Jones on a two-point conversion run.
The 27-year-old Newton needs to pass a series of exams and has to be cleared by both a Panthers physician and an independent neurologist.
Right tackle Mike Remmers was shifted to left tackle last week to replace Oher, while Daryl Williams assumed the right-tackle position.