Newton probable for Sunday

Dec 19, 2014 - 6:44 PM Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - The Carolina Panthers have listed Cam Newton as probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland, one day after head coach Ron Rivera said it was likely that his starting quarterback would return to action.

Newton sat out last week's game against Tampa Bay while recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident on Dec. 9. He took the majority of first- team reps during Thursday's practice, however, after which Rivera told reporters that Newton was "on target" to start against the Browns.

Derek Anderson filled in for Newton last week, throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown to help the Panthers to an important 19-17 win over the Buccaneers. The result kept Carolina (5-8-1) right behind first-place New Orleans in the NFC South entering the season's final two weeks.

Running back DeAngelo Williams' status for Sunday's matchup is less certain as he continues to mend from a broken hand that has kept him out of the team's last two games.

Williams has practiced the entire week on a limited basis and was termed questionable on the final injury report, though Rivera indicated on Friday that he isn't optimistic about the veteran back's chances of suiting up this weekend.

Guard Amini Silatolu (knee) and linebacker A.J. Klein (ankle) also have been declared questionable.