Newton visits foot specialist amid slow recovery

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is visiting a foot specialist to learn why his Lisfranc injury isn't healing, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who added that a return to football is a long way off.

Newton hasn't played since Week 2. Carolina previously believed Newton would be ready to return after its Week 7 bye, but that didn't materialize.

"I spent a long time speaking with Cam this week and he's done everything he possibly can in his rehab process to get his foot to 100%," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said in a news release. "Unfortunately, we haven't reached that point. The next step is for him to go see Dr. (Robert) Anderson and gather more information."

The Panthers have gone 4-1 without Newton, receiving a boost from backup quarterback Kyle Allen. Head coach Ron Rivera said after Carolina lost in Week 8 that the former MVP was "still in the middle of his rehab program," according to The Athletic's Joe Person.

Newton injured his foot in the preseason, but he returned for the beginning of the regular season. He struggled through two starts to open the campaign before the Panthers put him on the shelf indefinitely.

Dr. Anderson, the foot specialist, previously worked for the Panthers as an assistant physician.

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