Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton prepares to throw a pass during an NFL football practice in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is active and will start against the Cleveland Browns just 12 days after an automobile accident left him with two fractures in his lower back.
Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams will miss his third straight game and ninth overall this season due to injuries. Cornerback Carrington Byndom, safety Robert Lester, linebacker A.J. Klein, defensive tackle Kyle Love and offensive linemen David Foucault and Amini Silatolu are also inactive.
The Panthers have not activated defensive end Frank Alexander from the reserve/exempt list. The team must make a decision on his future status Monday.
Cleveland will be without defensive backs Joe Haden and K’Waun Williams, running back Glenn Winston, tight end Gary Barnidge, wide receiver Rodney Smith and offensive linemen Vinston Painter and Andrew McDonald.
Jordan Poyer will start for Haden.