Despite absorbing some brutal hits, Cam Newton has proven to be irrepressible.
The Panthers quarterback has shown no concussion symptoms after taking several helmet-to-helmet hits in last Thursday's season opener against the Broncos and is expected to play in Carolina's home opener against the 49ers on Sunday.
"The only thing I'll say is he's sore in terms of playing-the-game sore," coach Ron Rivera said Monday, via ESPN.com. "Not anything else sore.
"He's tough, he's resilient. He's moving around pretty good today."
Newton took several hard hits during the Panthers' 21-20 loss to the Broncos, though only one drew a penalty and he was never placed in the concussion protocol. In addition to Rivera, tight end Greg Olsen believes Newton isn't getting the calls and, frankly, the respect he deserves.
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"He's treated like a running back — and he's not," Olsen said, according to the report. "He's a quarterback that happens to be big. And fast. And strong.
"That's what drives me nuts. They say, 'Oh, but he runs the ball so much.' Every single one of those times he was playing quarterback. I don't give a s— if he ran the ball 10 plays in a row as a running back. When he is a passer, he is a passer. Period. I'm not saying Cam should get different rules than anybody else. Just call the rules for every single person that is a quarterback."
According to Rivera, it had been determined by doctors and the head referee that Newton was fine to continue playing and did not need to come out of the game. Contrary to the league's stance Friday that the medical staff had taken appropriate precautions, the NFL and NFLPA announced Sunday they will further investigate the Panthers' response to the hits.