Cam Newton injured? 'I'm great'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, while acknowledging Wednesday that he's not 100 percent, said his right foot was fine and not injured as a result of compensating for soreness in his left ankle that was surgically repaired in March.

"I'm great," said the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, whose right thumb was wrapped, when asked if he was injured beyond typical bumps and bruises of an NFL season.

Newton, who hasn't appeared on the injury report this season, has said he wasn't 100 percent since early in the preseason, and as recently as last month mentioned it when the topic of his left ankle came up.

That he was sacked a career-high nine times in Monday night's 45-21 loss at Philadelphia and has been sacked 30 times on the season has also been a factor.

"If you are asking me am I hurt right now? Yeah, I'm hurt. I haven't felt 100 percent for a long time,'' said Newton, whose Panthers will take a four-game losing streak into Sunday's game against Atlanta. "But is that going to be my excuse as to why we're on a losing streak? No. Absolutely not.

"But if you ask me a question, 'Is Cam Newton hurt?' Yes, I'm hurt. That is all honesty. But can I play? Yes, I can play and I will be playing.''

Newton indicated the report that the ankle injuries were contributing to his poor play -- a 61.12 passer rating over the last four games -- was not accurate.

"The truth of the matter is we're losing and somebody tried to point fingers and say something about why we're not winning,'' said Newton, whose left ankle hurt all of last season when Carolina went 12-4. "If you want to put the blame on me not being 100 percent then so be it.

"But I know if we were on a four-game winning streak nobody would be caring about that. It's all about getting a win. When you win, everything else works out fine.''