Cam Newton has been ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a concussion, and those close to the quarterback would like to see him protect himself better to avoid similar injuries in the future.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that people in Newton’s “inner circle” have been urging the reigning NFL MVP to play more carefully when he returns. Newton has taken several head shots through the first month of the season, the most recent of which was a legal helmet-to-helmet hit from Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones last week that forced Newton from the game.
According to Schefter, people close to Newton have urged him to “get down, out of bounds or into the end zone quicker” than he has on designed runs at the goal line. Newton has reportedly acknowledged that he will avoid risky plays going forward when he can.
Newton took several dangerous hits against the Denver Broncos in the first week of the season (video here), and the NFL acknowledged some calls were missed. However, there’s nothing officials can do about Newton being hit in the head when he becomes a clear runner. Those are the types of plays he needs to do a better job of protecting himself on.
