CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Allen will make his second straight start Sunday when the Panthers visit the Houston Texans.
Carolina coach Ron Rivera wasted no time Monday ruling out quarterback Cam Newton for a second straight game due to a lingering mid-foot sprain. Rivera said there is “no timetable” for Newton’s return and that the 2015 league MVP will continue to receive treatment.
Newton originally hurt his foot in Carolina’s third preseason game and then aggravated the injury in a Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. He has not practiced since.
Rivera gave no indication Newton would need surgery, instead saying that what the QB needs the most right now is rest.
Allen threw four touchdown passes in Carolina’s 38-20 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, improving to 2-0 as an NFL starter. He was 19 of 26 passing for 261 yards and finished with a 144.4 QB rating, the second-best mark in franchise history.
He completed passes to seven different players, including two TD passes to tight end Greg Olsen and one each to wide receivers Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore.
“He had good command of what we were doing and spread the ball around, which is what I like to see because then you can’t focus on one guy,” Rivera said.
Rivera especially liked the way Allen responded after a fumble on the game’s first drive.
“The one thing I have always said about Kyle that impresses me is he handles those things,” Rivera said. “He’s always cool. He’s kind of aloof to things that happen and that he can’t control. So he’s always one of those guys that goes on to the next play.”
After Sunday’s game Allen downplayed his success.
“You do your job. That’s what we’ve been preaching all week. You do your job,” Allen said. “You don’t have to do too much. When your number is called, make plays. … Everyone, when their number was called, people made plays.”
Rivera said when Newton is healthy he’ll return to the starting lineup.
“He’s our quarterback and he’s who we rely on,” Rivera said. “But for now we’re going to stick with Kyle and we’ll keep rolling and see how things unfold as we go forward.”
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