The Patriots might need an extra hand at quarterback.
Cam Newton’s practice ended early after he was seen having his right throwing hand examined by team personnel halfway through the team’s voluntary activities.
It’s unclear how Newton may have suffered any injury, though he was still able to give team owner Robert Kraft a fist-bump.
The former NFL MVP stuck around on the field and watched first-round pick Mac Jones, backup Jarrett Stidham, and veteran Brian Hoyer run through drills.
New wideout Nelson Agholor got an up-close look at Newton’s hand, but declined to give any insight.
“I’ll let Cam speak on that,” he told media.
Any significant injury to Newton would be a serious blow to the Patriots, who struggled in his first season with the team. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels lauded Newton’s preparation coming into OTAs on Thursday, noting the QB didn’t have the same luxury in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“I honestly can’t remember another time in my career where we’ve had a player that has done that,” McDaniels said. Even the rookies that get drafted, they get information prior to the end of the spring. He worked his butt off last year to do it, and he came back this year at a much different position. He has a different grasp of the offense, a different understanding of the terminology.”
Newton returned to New England this offseason on a one-year $14 million deal, part of a $300-million Patriots spending spree over the winter the beefed up the offense.
The Patriots struggled to a 7-9 campaign, the team’s first in 20 years without Tom Brady helming the offense. Newton started 15 games last season, throwing for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The team added Jones to their stable with the No. 15-overall pick in the NFL Draft, which included Stidham, entering his third pro season. Longtime Brady backup Hoyer gives the team an experienced pass-thrower to help guide the youngsters — or possibly take the reins of Newton’s hand is a major problem.