Newton changes tune on concussions

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has changed his stance on how he views concussions now that he’s had one.

Newton, who just last month downplayed concerns over the long-term effects of repeated blows to the head, said yesterday that he now better understands that “concussions are real.”

Speaking publicly for the first time about the concussion he sustained Oct. 2 against the Falcons, the league’s reigning MVP said he needs to be more careful in the future, calling the hit “preventable.” In the fourth quarter with the Panthers down two scores Newton purposely, and inexplicably, appeared to slow down as he approached the end zone on a two-point conversion run.

That allowed Falcons linebacker Deion Jones to hit Newton from the side. Newton said he never saw Jones coming.

Newton doesn’t remember reaching out the ball to score anyway, saying “that’s when I knew I was messed up.”

He left the game and did not return.

He sat out the following week against the Buccaneers as well with concussion-related symptoms.

After watching the play on film Newton said, “I was like, ‘just run through the (dang) end zone, Cam.’ ”

While Newton said he intends to be more careful to eliminate unnecessary hits, he doesn’t see his first career concussion changing the way he plays the game.

“I look at certain quarterbacks throughout the league and say, ‘Dang, I wish I could do that. Man, I wish I could win football games and make it look so cool like Tom Brady. Man, I wish I had the throwing accuracy or throwing style like a Matt Stafford or Aaron Rodgers,’ ” said Newton, who has run for more touchdowns than any QB in league history. “But my edge is running the football inside the tackle. If somebody tries to take that away from me, for what it is, that’s me. That’s going forever be my edge in this league.”

Romo throws

Tony Romo participated in throwing drills at practice for the first time since the Dallas quarterback broke a bone in his back in a preseason game at Seattle in August.

The 36-year-old Romo worked in several individual drills in shorts and a Tshirt with his teammates in full pads. While he almost certainly won’t play against Philadelphia on Sunday, it’s the biggest step in his latest return from injury.

“We’ll just take it day by day,” coach Jason Garrett said, repeating another familiar refrain. “He’s had some good days of rehab though lately.”

Ware: Happy returns

It was a day of big returns for DeMarcus Ware. The Broncos pass rusher practiced for the first time since breaking his right forearm on Sept. 18 and later learned that Denver police had apprehended two burglary suspects and recovered his stolen Super Bowl 50 ring.

In other Broncos news, the team was bracing for bad news on starting running back C.J. Anderson, who was sent for a second opinion on his ailing right knee.

Anderson hurt it on an 11-yard run on the final play of the first quarter Monday night against Houston but returned to the game and ran 14 more times for 84 yards to spark Denver’s 27-9 win. The team will know today how much time he’ll miss.

Wilson limited

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was a limited participant in practice, listed with knee and pectoral injuries. Also, the Seahawks released veteran running back C.J. Spiller and signed fullback Will Tukuafu. ...

Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones was held out of practice with a knee injury. . . .

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (foot) and center Nick Mangold (ankle) were among 12 Jets who sat out practice.