MRI revealed Newton suffered torn rotator cuff in Week 14

The Carolina Panthers announced Tuesday that franchise quarterback Cam Newton will undergo surgery on a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. The team also revealed its known about the injury since it was diagnosed after a Week 14 contest against the then-San Diego Chargers.

Panthers.com writer Max Henson wrote that an MRI on the shoulder days after the Dec. 11 game revealed the partially torn rotator cuff. However, head coach Ron Rivera told reporters Dec. 15 that the MRI came back clean, according to Jourdan Rodrigue and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

The situation isn't likely to prompt a whodunit from the league offices, since Newton was listed on the subsequent injury report as questionable. The team holding back the severity of the injury could be characterized as a loophole in the system, however.

Newton was able to play the week after sustaining the injury, with an extra day of rest, as their Week 15 game fell on a Monday night. He played in the team's final two games of the season as well.

Team athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion said Newton complained of increased pain, including pain while throwing, earlier in March, prompting the need for arthroscopic surgery.

He's expected to be healthy by the start of Panthers training camp.