Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton suffers fractures in auto crash

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suffered two fractures in his back after being involved in an auto accident in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, the team announced.

The Panthers announced that Newton suffered two transverse process fractures in his lower back and that he’s listed in fair condition at Carolinas Medical Center. He will be kept at the hospital overnight for further observation

The team did not say whether Newton will play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s the same injury that sidelined Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo for one game earlier this season.

Newton was taken to the hospital via ambulance shortly after the accident. The Charlotte Observer photographed Newton conscious and smiling before being taken to the hospital.

According to an earlier tweet by reporter Steve Crump of Charlotte TV station WBTV, police initially said there were “no injuries” to Newton.

“He did not want to be transported. Taken to hospital as a precaution,” Crump tweeted.

A truck that reportedly belongs to Newton was on its roof when emergency personnel first responded to the two-vehicle crash. The Charlotte Observer reported a person in the other vehicle was taken to the hospital.

The crash occurred on the Church Street bridge over I-277 about 9:30 a.m. PST, according to the Charlotte Observer. The location of the accident was near Bank of America Stadium, where the Panthers play. A witness told the newspaper that Newton’s truck flipped several times after colliding with a sedan.

Newton, 25, is in his fourth season with the Panthers. He has passed for 2,812 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. The two-time Pro Bowler has rushed for 425 yards and three touchdowns for the 4-8-1 Panthers.

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