Kyle Allen Thanks Cam Newton for 'Setting the Example'

As news of Cam Newton’s season-ending move to injured reserve made the rounds on Tuesday, his backup offered some words of encouragement and thanks.

Kyle Allen took to Instagram to post an image of him and Newton embracing accompanied by a brief caption. 

“I watched this man do everything in his power to come back from his injury. I watched him lead and be a great teammate day in and day out,” he wrote

“Thank you for setting the example. We got you.”

Newton, who has not played since the Panthers’ Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers, visited a foot specialist on Friday hoping to learn why the Lisfranc injury to his left foot was healing slowly. He first suffered the sprain during the third week of the preseason but played in Carolina’s first two games, going 0-2 with a 56.2 completion percentage and no touchdowns before reaggravating the injury against Tampa Bay. He has not practiced or played since and was placed on IR Tuesday.

Allen has now made six starts in relief of Newton, going 5-1 with a 60.7 completion percentage, nine touchdowns, four interceptions and an 87.8 quarterback rating. Discussions about a timeframe for Newton’s return intensified following Allen’s ugly Week 8 outing in a loss to the 49ers, but now it appears Allen will start the rest of Carolina’s games.

The Panthers are now 5-3 and rank second in the NFC South behind the Saints (7-1). They currently sit behind the Seahawks (7-2), Vikings (6-3) and Rams (5-3) in the race for the two NFC Wild Card slots.

Carolina will travel to Green Bay and face the Packers (7-2) on Sunday afternoon.