Cam Newton Says Playing with Injury 'Wasn't the Smartest', but Would Do It Again

Cam Newton knew he was heavily limited by a shoulder injury at the end of last season, but he doesn't regret staying on the field to help the Carolina Panthers compete for a playoff spot.  

The quarterback discussed his decision to play in the team's Week 15 loss to the New Orleans Saints with Peter King of Football Morning in America:

"As a quarterback in this league, you're unanimously the leader, right? We needed that game. I felt as if I wanted to give my team everything that I had honestly. Being hurt, being injured...looking back at it, it probably wasn't the smartest, efficient thing, knowing that I left it all out there on the field. And if you asked me if I’d do it again, I'd do it again."

Newton sat out the final two games of the year after the Panthers fell to 6-8, eventually undergoing shoulder surgery in January.

The quarterback was declared "pain-free" in June as he returned to training camp, and he's expected to be 100 percent by the time the 2019 season begins.

"We believe he's ready to roll," head coach Ron Rivera said last week, per Bill Voth of the team's official site.

Unfortunately, it was clear the injury affected him greatly in 2018. The Panthers began the year 6-2 but lost six straight to fall out of playoff contention.

Newton had some decent individual efforts during that stretch but struggled toward the end, finishing 16-of-29 for 131 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception in the 12-9 loss to the Saints. He also became more cautious in the run game, averaging just 4.7 rushing attempts per game over his final six appearances after averaging 9.1 carries in the first eight contests.

Despite the obvious signs of injury, Newton and Rivera felt staying on the field gave the team its best chance to win.

"I just know my worth to this team—know how much these guys believe in me and how much I believe in them," Newton said. "If I'm willing to do that, and I know I've seen other guys do the same thing, too."