The Carolina Panthers say quarterback Cam Newton suffered fractures in his lower back in a car crash in Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday.
Panthers spokesman Charlie Dayton said outside a hospital that Newton had no other internal injuries and that he would stay overnight for observation.
Television footage shows Newton on a stretcher being placed in an ambulance.
A truck that Charlotte Mecklenburg police spokesman Robert Tufano said Newton was driving was overturned on the roadway with debris scattered all over the street. The roof of the truck was caved in. Another car that appeared to be involved in the crash had front end damage.
The police were investigating how the crash happened on a bridge that crosses busy I-277 in the shadow of Bank of America Stadium, where the Panthers play.
Photos on Twitter showed Newton smiling as he was attended to by an officer on the ground. Another car also appeared to be involved in the crash and had front end damage.
RT @theobserver: Cam Newton is conscious and smiling after crash in uptown Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/BRJwFMP8YY
Charlotte Observer reporting Cam Newton was able to talk to paramedics when loaded on stretcher. Pic from @WBTV_News: pic.twitter.com/AIlbb6rjuy
Newton has 2,800 yards passing this season with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also has rushed for 425 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a 4-8-1 record.
An Atlanta native, Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a national championship.
He threw three touchdown passes in Carolina’s 41-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, his best game in nearly a month-and-a-half. He also broke a string of eight straight games with an interception.
The win put the Panthers back in the playoff hunt, one-half game behind the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints (both 5-8).
Newton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft and was inserted in as the franchise’s starter right away. He has only missed one game this season, the opener at Tampa Bay, due to a Newton has one year left on his rookie contract after the Panthers picked up a $15 million option for 2015.
The Panthers have repeatedly said Newton is a guy they view as their franchise quarterback moving forward.
Cam Newton has asked the Panthers to sign his 3 airbags. They protect him more than his 6 OL.
— @Wells_P
