There is some question about why Cam Newton still isn't throwing deep even though he's supposedly healed and under no restrictions from the coaching staff following arthroscopic surgery in January.

Newton attempted 38 passes against the Rams, but most were check-downs or passes underneath the coverage. His only attempt beyond 20 yards was a ball that sailed 25 yards through the air and over the head of wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

Newton has insisted his shoulder is fine entering Thursday night's game against Tampa Bay and that it didn't bother him in Week 1. The story quoted Tampa coach Bruce Arians, who said he believes Newton fine and capable of throwing a deep ball. The story mentioned the lack of deep passes is reminiscent of when Newton struggled through a lingering shoulder injury that limited his arm strength.

Beat writer Max Henson delves into Curtis Samuel's fantastic camp in his latest article on the team's website.

“When I’m in my zone,” Samuel said, “I don’t feel I can be stopped.” It’s not just talk. Unstoppable is an accurate way to describe the third-year wideout right now.

"He's light years from where he was when he came in as a rookie." head coach Ron Rivera said of the former second-round pick. "One thing that I talk about is that we have a group of young guys that do need to take that step, and he is one of them.

The praise for Curtis Samuel has been consistent and effusive throughout training camp, with one beat writer saying that Samuel looks like the Panthers No. 1 receiver. I still expect D.J. Moore to lead the team in targets, but Samuel shouldn't be far behind and his ability after the catch should make every reception a good one for his fantasy stats.

Norv Turner on Curtis Samuel: “He’s becoming an outstanding route runner.”

Samuel started getting regular work in Week 11. In his final seven games, he averaged 3.9 catches for 53 yards and 0.43 touchdowns, which equates to a 62-846-7 pace over a 16-game season. He basically matched the production of D.J. Moore in that span. We’re expecting low-end WR3 numbers from Samuel in 2019. He ranks 35th on our list.

Cam Newton began throwing regulation-size footballs again during spring workouts, including a team livestream during minicamp in June. That was the first time the public had seen Newton throw since the Week 15 loss to New Orleans. He progressed from throwing to stationary targets one day, to shorter routes the next, and finally to intermediate routes 20-25 yards down the field.

Which brings us to the present, with Newton slated to be a full participant when training camp opens July 24 at Wofford College in Spartanburg.

The Panthers have long set training camp as their expectation for Newton’s full return. The hope is he can continue developing a camaraderie with young receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, as well as to rekindle his connection with running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end Greg Olsen.

As the story said, Newton struggled with “frustrating” shoulder soreness and tightness over the second half of last year, culminating with him sitting out the final two regular-season games. After the season, Newton had an arthroscopic procedure that was described as a “clean-out” rather than to repair any specific injury. It was said the cartilage damage was much less severe than originally suspected.

If you had to pick an offensive MVP through two days of mandatory Carolina Panthers minicamp, you’d be hard-pressed not choosing Curtis Samuel.

The third-year receiver opened the week with a highlight reel touchdown on Tuesday, catching a pass between two defenders before dipping his shoulder and sprinting to the end zone.

On Wednesday, it was more of the same. Samuel saw reps on special teams — after Damiere Byrd’s offseason departure, the team is looking for its new return man. He also carried the ball, but again made his mark receiving. On one well-timed deep route, he raced past the secondary and into the end zone for a wide open touchdown. He also had a nice sideline grab, completely slowing his momentum to make the catch before turning upfield.

Samuel started getting regular work in Week 11. In his final seven games, he averaged 3.9 catches for 53 yards and 0.43 touchdowns, which equates to a 62-846-7 pace over a 16-game season. He basically matched the production of D.J. Moore in that span. We’re expecting low-end WR3 numbers from Samuel in 2019.