Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will undergo ankle surgery on Wednesday that could sideline him up to four months.
The Panthers called it a minor procedure that will be performed by team physician Robert Anderson at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C.
According to an NFL.com report, the surgery will tighten ligaments in an ankle that bothered Newton late last year. The decision was made to go ahead with the operation after the ankle failed to heal with rest after the end of the season.
“??The ankle was sore after the San Francisco game (in the playoffs) and we wanted to see if rest would calm it down,” Panthers head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion said. “But it is still bothering him and the decision was made to address it.”
Newton is expected to be recovered in time for the start of training camp in July but is likely to miss organized team activities this spring.
The 24-year-old Newton completed his third year with the Panthers in 2013, passing for 3,379 yards and 24 touchdowns with 13 interceptions in 16 regular-season starts. He added 585 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground in leading Carolina to the playoffs.