Cam Newton OK to play for Panthers after concussion

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 02: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after being flagged with a taunting penalty against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 2, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, last season’s NFL Most Valuable Player, has completed concussion protocols and was cleared to play Sunday against New Orleans, the Panthers announced Saturday.

Newton made the trip with the team to Louisiana after practicing Thursday and Friday in anticipation of passing the final tests to allow him back onto the active roster under the NFL’s concussion protection rules.

Newton took a jarring hit in Carolina’s loss at Atlanta two weeks ago and missed Monday’s 17-14 home loss to Tampa Bay.

The Panthers, off to a woeful 1-4 start, face a Saints’ squad that has stumbled to 1-3 out of the gate.