Panthers GM reveals Newton took knee to give Anderson time to warm up

Carolina Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney may have admitted to a circumvention of league rules Monday.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suffered a hit to the head during the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints and was slow to get up, eventually stumbling to the ground and heading to the sideline.

The team said Newton went to the medical tent on the sideline to be evaluated for an injury, while the former NFL MVP claimed he suffered an eye injury on the play.

Derek Anderson came in for one play while Newton remained on the sideline.

Hurney admitted Monday that Newton took his time while nursing the injury, giving Anderson opportunity to prepare for his lone snap, before he was reinserted into the contest.

“He took a hit. But when he walked off and he told the trainers he got poked in the eye, then they did take him into the tent and checked him for a concussion, which he did not have,” Hurney said to Joseph Person and Anna Douglas of the Charlotte Observer.

“And it was really getting poked in the eye. He took a knee because they told him to take a knee so we could get the official timeout and Derek could warm up.”

The NFL and NFLPA are investigating the Panthers, and they could be subjected to a $150,000 fine if they are found to have subverted the rules.