CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Panthers coach Ron Rivera said hell take a wait-and-see approach as to whether or not quarterback Cam Newton will play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.Newton missed the second game of his career on Sunday against Tampa Bay after an automobile wreck last week left him with two fractures in his lower back.The biggest factor will be whether or not (team physicians) tell me he can protect himself, Rivera said Monday. I dont want to put a guy out there if he cant protect himself. By that I mean being able to run out of the way, scramble out of the way to stay alive, keep the play alive, by being able to get out of the way.Rivera said if Newton is unable to do that, Derek Anderson will make his third start of the season.Anderson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown in Carolinas 19-17 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Hes 2-0 as Carolinas starter with both wins coming against the Buccaneers (2-11).Rivera said there is a misconception that Newtons injury is all about the quarterbacks pain tolerance moving forward.It can get worse if he gets hit there again, Rivera said of Newtons two transverse process fractures in his back.Players have Tuesday off, but Newton is expected to report to the stadium for rehab. The Panthers return to the practice field on Wednesday.Rivera said the goal is to get Newton on the field when hes ready.As he gets better (team physicians) will increase his workload until we get to a certain point where he gets back on the field, Rivera said.The Panthers (5-8-1) are in the midst of a playoff race.They can take over sole possession of first place in the NFC South if New Orleans loses to Chicago on Monday night.Newton is 3-8-1 this year as the teams starting quarterback.He has struggled through an injury-plagued season, undergoing ankle surgery in March and then fracturing his ribs during a preseason game at New England. Those injuries forced Newton to miss the season opener at Tampa Bay.Rivera said Anderson did some good things filling in for Newton on Sunday, but said there was plenty of room for improvement.The Panthers reached or started in Tampa Bay territory on all 11 possessions, but came away with just one touchdown and four field goals.In fact, Carolinas only touchdown came after the defensive ends Charles Johnson and Mario Addison sacked Bucs quarterback Josh McCown and stripped the ball loose, allowing defensive tackle Kawann Short to recover at the Tampa Bay 4. The Panthers scored two plays later on a short pass from Anderson to Jerricho Cotchery.Carolinas struggles inside their opponents 20-yard line are nothing new.They rank 28th in the league in red zone offence, scoring touchdowns on just 45 per cent of their 40 possessions.On Sunday, many of Carolinas red zone woes were self-inflicted.The Panthers had a turnover at the Bucs 3, three penalties, a bobbled snap from centre, a dropped pass and a few poorly thrown balls by Anderson that wound up being drive killers.Until you operate without self-inflicted mistakes you are going to slow yourself down, Rivera said.Anderson said he was happy with the win, but felt he could have played better.I missed some throws, some things I just have to take that are there and make them tackle him, Anderson said after Sundays game. Efficiency-wise I feel like I could have been better.NOTES: Rivera said linebacker Thomas Davis hyperextended his left knee on Sunday, but is expected to practice this week. Thats not the same knee that Davis tore the ACL in three times. ... Defensive end Frank Alexander is eligible to return this week from a 10-game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. ... Carolina signed defensive tackle Kyle Love and waived defensive tackle MIcanor Regis.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Lakers Jerseys 2020 . Selected by the Titans in the 2007 NFL Draft, Johnson rejoined the club last season after a five-year stint with Indianapolis. Los Angeles Lakers Store . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/. The cause of his death is as of yet undetermined, but police said foul play is not suspected. Los Angeles Lakers Shirts . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. Los Angeles Lakers Pro Shop .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown.NEW YORK -- Ron Gardenhire will be in the dugout with the AL All-Stars at his home stadium. The Minnesota manager was chosen along with Clevelands Terry Francona as coaches to join AL manager John Farrell of Boston in the July 15 All-Star game at Target Field. For the NL, manager Mike Matheny of St. Louis chose Clint Hurddle of Pittsburgh and Fredi Gonzalez of Atlanta as his coaching staff.dddddddddddd Francona has himself managed the AL team before -- in 2005 and 2008. In that second one, Farrell served as his pitching coach for the game. Gardenhire, who has managed the Twins since 2002, has been an AL coach in 2003 and 2007. ' ' '