Derek Anderson to start at quarterback for Carolina Panthers

Derek Anderson will start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, head coach Ron Rivera told reporters Wednesday.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was involved in a car accident on Tuesday afternoon and was hospitalized overnight.

After Newton was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday morning, the team said he was experiencing soreness in addition to an injury to his back. Newton has two transverse process fractures in his lower back after the incident, which occurred near Bank of America Stadium.

According to NFL.com's Jeff Darlington, Newton "headed straight to the stadium" after being released from the hospital.

Anderson has played in the NFL for nine seasons, after he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round in 2005. He was waived by the team in September 2005 and signed by the Cleveland Browns. He has thrown for 9,630 yards in 64 games for the Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Panthers.

This season, Anderson has played in five games for the Panthers and completed 40-of-57 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception. The 31-year-old started the season opener for the Panthers after Newton sustained a hairline rib fracture in Carolina's Aug. 22 preseason game. The Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.

The Panthers (4-8-1) play the Buccaneers (2-11) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

- Sarah Barshop