By MARK LONG
Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Cam Newton was perfect in his preseason debut.
Seeing live action for the first time since last season's finale, Newton completed both of his passes for 21 yards and a touchdown in the Carolina Panthers' 24-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Newton's 9-yard slant pass to Kelvin Benjamin capped a 10-play opening drive that showed coach Ron Rivera all he needed to see from his star quarterback. Newton spent the rest of the night watching from the sideline.
Afterward, Newton said he was ready for the season opener.
"Absolutely," he said. "You ain't got no choice. When everything gets to going, pretty sure coach will have everyone ready to go. And that's all you can ask for."
The 2015 league MVP had surgery in March to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his right, throwing shoulder. Newton participated in the first five practices of training camp before developing soreness and backing off for nearly two weeks.
He amped up his workload this week in preparation for the team's third exhibition, quite possibly the only action he'll get in the preseason. The Panthers (2-1) wrap up exhibition play next week against Pittsburgh.
The Jaguars (1-2), meanwhile, will continue their quarterback competition into the preseason finale at Atlanta.
"I've got to do the best job for the organization and best job for the team," coach Doug Marrone said. "I'm not going to put that pressure on myself to say, 'Hey, listen, I need to do this.' I've got time. You'd like to make the decision quickly, but you want to make sure you make the right decision. That's the most important thing."
Chad Henne got the start over Blake Bortles and had an up-and-down night that would have been much better if not for a drop. Henne completed 8 of 14 passes for 73 yards. He lofted two perfect deep balls to rookie Keelan Cole and Allen Robinson, although Cole dropped a would-be touchdown for the second time in as many games.
Henne also was sacked three times and had a pass batted down at the line of scrimmage. He led the Jaguars on two scoring drives in five possessions, the first one aided by a 51-yard run on a fake punt.
Bortles was 12-of-16 passing for 125 yards, highlighted by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Shane Wynn in the fourth quarter. Bortles also threw an interception that was returned 48 yards and set up a touchdown in the third. The ill-advised pass was a little behind Allen Hurns and into double coverage.
Bortles and Jacksonville's starting offensive line played deep into the fourth quarter, facing mostly second- and third-teamers.
It came a week after Marrone essentially benched Bortles following a rough preseason outing.
"I don't know if it can get any worse than that," Bortles said. "As a quarterback in the NFL, it's probably the last thing you ever want to hear. You can roll over and lay down or you can just keep working and grinding and earn that spot. So you have two options. You pick one and you go."
WELCOME BACK
Two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil also made his preseason debut after sitting out two games with a shoulder injury. And rookie receiver Curtis Samuel, a second-round draft pick from Ohio State, saw extensive action after missing time because of a hamstring injury. Samuel finished with four receptions for 15 yards. He was targeted a team-high six times.
MAKING AMENDS
Jaguars kicker Jason Myers drilled a 44-yard field goal and both extra points, saving his job at least for now. Myers missed three field-goal attempts and an extra point in Jacksonville's first two preseason games, prompting the Jaguars to bring in veteran Dan Carpenter and Patrick Murray for workouts last weekend. The team opted not to sign either one, instead putting Myers on notice about his shaky job security.
SITTING OUT
The Jaguars were without several starters, including running back Leonard Fournette (foot), receiver Marqise Lee (ankle) and cornerback A.J. Bouye (undisclosed). Cornerback Aaron Colvin (ankle), receiver Rashad Greene (back), running back T.J. Yeldon (hamstring), defensive end Dante Fowler (leg), tight end Mychal Rivera (hand) and defensive tackle Michael Bennett (lower body) also sat out.
INJURIES
Panthers: Guard Dan France left the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
Jaguars: Cornerback Doran Grant also was evaluated for a concussion and cleared to return.
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