The Panthers confirmed Saturday what seemed like a foregone conclusion -- quarterback Cam Newton will not play Monday night against Tampa Bay.
The Panthers officially ruled Newton out after the reigning league MVP did not practice all week while in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Derek Anderson will start in place of Newton, who will be sidelined for just the third game in six seasons.
Anderson beat the Bucs twice in 2014 while subbing for an injured Newton. But Panthers coach Ron Rivera said it’s Anderson’s entire body of work -- not only the two-game sample against Tampa Bay two years ago -- that gives him confidence in the player known as “D.