Quarterback Cam Newton injures hand during New England Patriots practice
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Cam Newton came into a difficult situation last season with the Patriots. He signed late in the offseason and missed all virtual meetings. When training camp started, there were no preseason games due to COVID-19.
That led to a season in which both Newton and the Patriots struggled. He set a franchise record with 12 rushing touchdowns but managed only eight touchdown passes while throwing 10 interceptions. The team finished 7-9.
That’s why it was so important that the 32-year-old was present when offseason workouts started for the Patriots this year. That’s also why it was tough to see Newton suffer an injury on Friday during the Patriots' sixth practice of OTAs.
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The veteran quarterback apparently hurt his right hand about an hour into the day’s session. Newton didn’t leave the field, but he didn’t throw another pass and watched from afar for the rest of the day. According to the Boston Herald, Newton's hand isn't broken, but he is undergoing further testing to determine the extent of the injury.
For a quarterback who is trying to again win the Patriots starting quarterback job and get back on track, Newton needs all the reps he can get.
When did Newton get hurt?
Newton left a throwing drill to meet with trainer Jim Whalen and team doctor Mark Price. He could be seen flexing his hand and making a fist. Newton was focused on his hand and looked like he was checking for any swelling. It’s unknown when the injury occurred, but it’s possible Newton hit his hand on either a teammate’s helmet during 11-on-11 drills or hit a pad used by the staff to try to deflect a pass.
After meeting with the medical staff, Newton didn’t return to practice. Instead, quarterbacks Mac Jones and Jarrett Stidham got more reps with the starters. After the injury, Newton was met at midfield by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The two spoke briefly before Newton took a knee to watch his fellow quarterbacks go through a position drill.
Newton finished practice by watching the team go through 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. The quarterback could be seen showing his right hand to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
“Oh, I’ll let him speak on that,” Agholor said, when questioned about Newton’s hand. "You still feel him, man. That's why he's a great teammate ... because he loves football. Even when he's not physically taking any reps, you still feel his presence. That's every week."
Players, coaches react
If Newton misses time, it’ll be a tough setback for the former MVP who continues to impress coaches and teammates with his energy, work ethic and leadership.
“First thing I always knew about him was he loved the game of football and you see that when he steps out on the field,” Agholor said. “He has great energy. He loves football. He loves to work. I appreciate that about him and I love working alongside him.”
“He's worked really hard and he worked hard all year last year,” McDaniels said on Thursday. “He was certainly in a point when he got here that was a unique situation, having really no experience and exposure to our system prior to training camp starting. I honestly can't remember another time in my career where we've had a player that has done that. Even the rookies that get drafted, they get information prior to the end of the spring.
“So it was a unique scenario. He worked his butt off last year to do it and then he came back certainly this year at a much different position. He has a different grasp of the offense, a different understanding of the terminology.”
It’s a positive development that Newton has a better understanding of the Patriots' offense. They’ll need that if they want to improve upon last season. Of course, Newton needs the reps in practice with two young quarterbacks in Jones and Stidham gunning for his job.
We won’t know how if Newton will miss any practice time as the media won’t be allowed access at Gillette Stadium until next Friday for the team’s last day of OTAs. The media will also be present for the team’s three-day minicamp the following week from July 14-16.