Newton throws for Panthers for first time since surgery
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the NFL's 2015 Most Valuable Player, is throwing for the first time since surgery last March to repair a partially torn right rotator cuff.
In a video posted Monday on the club's website, Newton threw 45 passes to Panthers trainer Ryan Vermillion in the locker room, tossing the ball in three sets of 15 throws.
"Obviously it's still not 100 percent, but seeing the ball come out of my hand in a throwing motion was good," Newton said.
"When I say it's not 100 percent, I'm noting the range-of-motion part. Like if you sleep with your legs hanging off your bed the whole night, you're going to wake up and be super stiff. Or like sitting on your hands, or sitting in an awkward position and finally getting up and moving -- that's how I feel."
Newton led the Panthers to a 15-1 record in 2015 and a Super Bowl 50 appearance in which they lost to Denver. He threw for 3,509 yards and 19 touchdowns with 14 interceptions last season but Carolina went 6-10 and missed the playoffs.
Newton was injured last December in a game against San Diego but played in Carolina's three remaining games and underwent MRI exams before deciding on shoulder surgery.
The Panthers did not expect Newton to throw for 12 weeks or throw with the team for 16 weeks. So far he is on pace to be ready when the Panthers begin pre-season training camp on July 26 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
"I want to be 100 percent come training camp," Newton said. "There's no doubt I will be. Shoot, in two weeks, I'll be ready to rock and roll.
"It's just the stiffness, getting the range of motion back, strengthening those joints and the arm. Hopefully, with no setbacks, we'll be good."