Newton will start second week in a row

Cam Newton will get another start, but Panthers coach Ron Rivera was not yet ready to name the No. 1 pick his Week 1 starter.

Despite struggling last week at Miami, Newton will start and play about three quarters Thursday at Cincinnati. Rivera plans to treat this week as a mock game week, and wants to see how Newton handles it.

“We've only gone through 31/2, 4 weeks of training camp,” Rivera said today. “So to rush into a decision would be kind of absurd.”

Coaches also want to see Newton improve his mechanics. The 6-5 right-hander completed 7 of 14 passes for 66 yards in the first half at Miami, but completed only one throw to a wideout and consistently misfired on longer passes.

But Rivera said he thought Newton made good decisions against the Dolphins.

“The next part is delivering the ball on time, hitting the receiver in stride,” he said.

Jimmy Clausen played the second half at Miami and was not much better. Unless Newton completely unravels against the Bengals, it still looks like he will be the starter at Arizona on Sept. 11.

HARDY BACK

Rivera did name a starter at defensive end.

Greg Hardy practiced for the first time since his motorcycle wreck last month, and immediately was declared the starter at the end spot opposite Charles “Big Money” Johnson.

Hardy, who badly skinned the left side of his body in the wreck in Tennessee, will start as soon as he's ready, Rivera said. Rivera indicated Everette Brown and Eric Norwood were better suited as edge pass-rushers and would be used situationally.

INJURY UDPATE

--Rivera is growing more concerned about whether middle linebacker Jon Beason will be ready for the opening game at Arizona. Beason, who has never missed a regular season game, has yet to practice due to tendinitis in his left Achilles. Rivera said the Panthers have three other linebackers that can play the position if Beason is not ready – Dan Connor, Omar Gaither and Thomas Williams.

“But we'll make that decision once we get to that week,” Rivera said.

--Fullback Tony Fiammetta remains sidelined after sustaining a concussion against the Giants. The Panthers are waiting for the neurologist to clear him.

--Running back Jonathan Stewart returned from an Achilles injury, but tailback Mike Goodson is still out with his Achilles strain. Rivera said Goodson's injury is not considered serious.

--Offensive linemen Jeff Otah (hip) and Geoff Schwartz (hip) and tight end Gary Barnidge (ankle) were among the others who missed practice.

--Joseph Person