This time, they checked Cam Newton during the game.
And this time, he indeed had a concussion.
The Panthers quarterback and reigning MVP was diagnosed with a concussion during Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, and did not talk to reporters after the game, per Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said during his press conference he didn’t have an update on Newton’s status.
Newton took a number of shots because of a makeshift offensive line (starting left tackle Michael Oher was out with a concussion of his own), but the last one was on a legal hit from Falcons linebacker Deion Jones.
It wasn’t as blatant as some of the helmet-to-helmet shots he took in the opener against Denver, which led the league to look into whether the concussion protocol was followed during that game.
It was this time, as Newton was taken to the locker room during the fourth quarter, and he did not return.