Ron Rivera Says Cam Newton Will Be Ready for Opener After Shoulder Surgery

Though Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is set to undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder, that didn't stop head coach Ron Rivera from saying the 2015 NFL MVP will be ready for the start of next season.

Speaking to NFL Network's Judy Battista (via NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman), Rivera said Newton will take the field for the Panthers in Week 1:

"

Without a doubt. There is no concern, at least in talking with the trainers and doctors. I'm very confident that things are going to go along very well. They have a timeframe that they've mapped out for the most part. He'll be working with the trainers and he'll be working with us for the most part during the OTAs and minicamps.

"

The Panthers announced March 21 Newton would have surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder March 30.

"It is well-documented and well-researched that overhead throwing athletes commonly have wear and tear to their rotator cuffs," Carolina head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion said. "As a result of the MRI, we modified all of Cam's work in the weight room and on the field for the final three weeks of the season."

Newton was injured during Week 14 against the San Diego Chargers, but he played the Panthers' final three games. His performance was off during that span, as he completed just 50.9 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and five interceptions.

Vermillion also laid out a recovery plan for Newton when the surgery was announced.

"Twelve weeks following surgery, Cam will begin an early throwing program with me," he said. "If he progresses well he will start throwing with the team at 16 weeks after surgery, and we'll go from there. Our goal is to have him back at the start of training camp."

Newton had the worst season of his six-year NFL career in 2016. He completed a career-low 52.9 percent of his passes, and his 14 interceptions were his most since his rookie season.

The 2017 NFL season will begin Sept. 7, giving Newton more than five months to rehab, get back into game shape and live up to Rivera's expectation.