Panthers QB Newton avoids concussion in scary landing

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton avoided a concussion when he landed awkwardly after diving for a first down in a preseason game against the New England Patriots on Friday night.

Newton left the field for four plays after landing awkwardly on his head and neck but was cleared to return after being evaluated for a concussion.

"I just kept telling them, 'My eye hurts, my eye hurts,' " said Newton after the game. "It was as if someone poked me in the eye. The helmet just came down. It didn't feel good.''

Newton had a visible black eye during his postgame press conference.

He finished the game -- the Panthers' third of the preseason -- by completing 11 of 17 passes for 142 yards. He didn't play at all in the second half.

Coach Ron Rivera chalked it up to Newton's competitiveness.

"That's him," said Rivera. "He plays to win."

"I'd much rather he didn't," Rivera added of Newton making dangerous plays in a preseason game. "But again, he's going to give his all.''

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