Rivera stressed Newton needed to make apology

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera said that quarterback Cam Newton’s apology for a sexist remark to a female reporter was “something that was needed to be said.”

“I think it was well said and well put,” Rivera said Friday. “It’s a tough set of circumstances and hopefully this can settle things so we can go forward.”

Newton made his remarks at a news conference Wednesday when Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the 2015 NFL MVP about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running. The quarterback laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”

Newton issued a nearly two-minute video apology saying, “What I did was extremely unacceptable” and that he has “really learned a valuable lesson from this.”

Newton hasn’t directly apologized to Rodrigue.

Buccaneers

Nick Folk’s future with Tampa Bay is up in the air. The veteran kicker was signed in free agency to rectify a mistake the team made in drafting Roberto Aguayo in the second round a year ago, however he’s been anything but a solution through four games. Folk missed three field goals, two of them in the fourth quarter in a 1914 loss Thursday night to New England.

Browns

Top overall pick Myles Garrett made it through a week of practice without any issues and is set to make his debut for the Cleveland Sunday against the New York Jets. Garrett missed Cleveland’s first four games — all losses — with a sprained right ankle.

Vikings

Quarterback Sam Bradford’s left knee has so far responded well to two weeks of rest, raising the possibility of a return for the next game at Chicago. Bradford said he is “definitely feeling better” after practicing.

Titans

Quarterback Marcus Mariota will be a game-time decision for a matchup Sunday against the Dolphins. Mariota was listed as questionable Friday for the game in Miami.