North Carolina

Cam Newton ruled out for Monday night Panthers game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will not play in Monday night's Panthers game against Tampa Bay.

Derek Anderson is expected to start at quarterback. Anderson is 2-0 as Carolina's starter, with both wins coming against the Bucs in 2014.

Newton hasn't made it outside to watch any of the practices this week in preparation for the Buccaneers. He has not spoken to the media since entering the concussion protocol on Sunday when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from linebacker Deion Jones in the fourth quarter of a 48-33 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Newton isn't the only one hurting. The Panthers are limping toward their bye in Week 7.

Three other Carolina starters missed their third straight day of practice: running back Jonathan Stewart (hamstring), left tackle Michael Oher (concussion) and cornerback James Bradberry (toe). None of those players will be in the game Monday.

"I think our guys have the ability but this is certainly a next-man-up mentality," Rivera said. "It's not like we haven't done it before. But this is a challenge. It's a challenge for everybody on this football team and it's a challenge for me as a coach and a challenge for our assistant coaches."

Carolina also waived starting cornerback Bene Benwikere on Friday in a surprise move. Rookie Daryl Worley is expected to take his place in the lineup.

Backup defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle), the team's first-round draft pick, is out again this week.

Also, three other Carolina starters — linebacker Thomas Davis (hamstring), fullback Mike Tolbert (hamstring) and defensive end Charles Johnson (quad) — were limited in practice on a wet field.

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