CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- What I learned about the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton's contract situation before a Tuesday practice that was closed to the media:
Nothing new: Coach Ron Rivera stopped for a moment to say: "No news. We’re right where it was yesterday; right where we left it yesterday." Rivera wouldn’t get specific on where that was, other than to say he saw the initial tweet that said the Panthers and Newton were close to a five-year extension that would pay the first pick of the 2011 draft between $20 million and $21 million a year. As of now, no news conference is scheduled. Newton’s Wednesday news conference that was scheduled last week hasn’t been canceled.
Newton is practicing: As he has throughout negotiations, Newton has been at every practice during offseason workouts. He hasn’t threatened to hold out or miss a session.
Kelvin Benjamin: Carolina’s 2014 first-round pick arrived at practice without a helmet. The wide receiver has been nursing a hamstring injury suffered three weeks ago and the Panthers are being careful with him.
Garry Peters: The undrafted rookie cornerback out of Clemson also is nursing a hamstring injury and was without a helmet.
Transaction: The Panthers signed defensive back Jocquel Skinner from Bethel College and waived tight end Kevin Greene. This was totally a lower-end-of-the-roster move.
