CHARLOTTE Blue Michael Palardy Jersey , N.C. (AP)The Panthers will not be ring a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 7. The NFL and the Players Association announced Wednesday that Carolina’s medical staff correctly followed concussion protocol guidelines. The league released a statement Wednesday saying it reviewed game footage and medical reports, as well as statements and interviews with Newton and coach Ron Rivera, before making its determination that ”there was no protocol violation.” After walking off the field with a second-half eye injury, Newton stumbled to the ground near the sideline when asked by trainers to take a knee. The league said they believe that stumble was caused by a previous knee injury. The NFL said the league’s 2015 MVP had an MRI on Jan. 8 that ”confirmed ligament and cartilage damage and very extensive swelling in the knee.” Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Newton will not need surgery on the knee. Newton sat out one play, but returned on the next offensive series and finished the game. Hurney said on Jan. 8 that Newton intentionally took a knee because he was told to by the team’s training staff so Carolina could get an official timeout, thus allowing backup quarterback Derek Anderson a little more time to warm up on the sideline. Anderson came in for one third-down play and threw an incompletion. ”He took a hit,” Hurney said of Newton. ”But when he walked off and he told the trainers he got poked in the eye, then they did take him into the tent and checked him for a concussion Michael Palardy Jersey 2019 , which he did not have. And it was really getting poked in the eye.” Up for debate in the investigation was whether Newton should have been taken to the locker room for evaluations. The league and the players union changed its concussion protocol in December after Texans quarterback Tom Savage returned to the field after having a concussion that left the quarterback’s hands shaking following a hit. The changes to the protocol include the requirement of a locker room concussion evaluation for all players ”demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g., stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand.)” Newton did not visit the locker room. Newton said after the team’s loss to the Saints that ”it wasn’t my head. It was my eye. My helmet had come down low enough over my eyelid and it got pressed by the player’s stomach.” ”Our review of all of the facts do not support a claim of inappropriate medical care,” the NFL Players Association said in a statement. ”Mr. Newton was immediately evaluated for a concussion and cleared by the team physician and unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.” The Seattle Seahawks were fined $100,000 in Week 10 after the league and union determined they failed to apply the concussion protocol properly after quarterback Russell Wilson took a blow to the head against the Arizona Cardinals. — CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — After focusing on upgrading the team’s overall speed the past few NFL drafts, don’t be surprised if the Carolina Panthers look to add bulk up front this year.The Panthers have needs at left tackle and defensive end following the retirement of Julius Peppers and the release of Matt Kalil. Carolina struggled to protect quarterback Cam Newton last season while the pass rush fell off — two major reasons Carolina finished 7-9.Panthers general manager Marty Hurney predictably didn’t offer many clues to the team’s upcoming draft plans, but said he likes what he sees from both positions in this year’s class.“It’s a strong group up top and it’s a deep group,” Hurney said of the defensive linemen available.Hurney also predicted there will be a handful of offensive linemen who’ll be selected in the first round Daryl Williams Jersey 2019 , and said that the group is strong overall.After Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury last summer, Carolina brought in journeyman Chris Clark to play left tackle before turning to Marshall Newhouse later in the season. The Panthers re-signed right tackle Daryl Williams this offseason, a move that could potentially mean Taylor Moton will shift to left tackle.But if someone such as Washington State’s Andre Dillard or Florida’s Jawaan Taylor falls to No. 16, the Panthers may head in that direction. Carolina hasn’t drafted an offensive tackle in the first round since Jeff Otah in 2008.On the other side of the ball, the Panthers signed veteran pass rusher Bruce Irvin to a one-year deal, but he’s not viewed as the long-term answer opposite Mario Addison. Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell, Michigan’s Rashan Gary and Florida State’s Brian Burns are potential options with the 16th pick that could help fill the void left by Peppers’ departure.“It’s a good class of edge rushers,” coach Ron Rivera said. “We feel really good about the guys we have seen.”Some things to watch for the Panthers in the NFL draft:NEWTON’S SUCCESSORHurney sounded optimistic about Newton’s recovery Blue Daryl Williams Jersey , saying the 2015 league MVP is gaining more range of motion in his surgically repaired right shoulder. However, Newton hasn’t thrown a football yet.Newton has two years left on his contract, and it’s possible the team could start looking for a long-term replacement.“Our philosophy is you have to develop young quarterbacks,” Hurney said.One potential option outside of the first round is West Virginia’s Will Grier, who grew up in Huntersville, North Carolina, — about 20 miles north of where the Panthers play their home games. The Panthers have met extensively with Grier this offseason.SAFETY DANCEThe Panthers re-signed Eric Reid to a big contract earlier this offseason, but the other safety spot remains up in the air after the team parted ways with veteran Mike Adams earlier this offseason.Rashaan Gaulden Mario Addison Jersey 2019 , a third-round pick in 2018, and Da’Norris Searcy are potential replacements, but if the Panthers can find a safety with a knack for causing turnovers in the second or third rounds there is a real chance they could fill that need.REPLACING OLSENGreg Olsen has been a magnificent player for the Panthers, but the three-time 1,000-yard receiver has struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons because of foot injuries. All signs are Olsen will be back for another season, but at some point the team will need to look to replace the 34-year-old tight end.Carolina drafted Ian Thomas last year with the 101st overall pick and the jury is still out on whether he can develop into Olsen’s heir apparent. But don’t rule out the team grabbing another tight end at some point during the draft.McCAFFREY’S BACKUPNo running back in the NFL was on the field more last season than Christian McCaffrey. And while Rivera still believes McCaffrey has a chance to reach 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season Blue Mario Addison Jersey , he’d like to lessen his role just a little bit.The Panthers have Cameron Artis-Payne coming off the bench, but a back with a similar skillset to McCaffrey — fast, shifty and multi-talented — would be ideal.TEPPER’S TIMEThis will be new owner David Tepper’s first NFL draft since purchasing the Panthers for $2.2 billion last summer, and he’s been heavily involved in the team’s draft process.“He’s very excited and Ron and I communicate with him every day,” Hurney said. “He’s looking forward to being in the draft room. He’s dropped in on our meetings with scouts and has a good feel” for the draft.