CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Cam Newton will see his first game action since undergoing ankle surgery in March when the Carolina Panthers host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Just how much hell play remains to be seen. Panthers coach Ron Rivera expects Newton to play at least a quarter, but said its possible the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback could see additional action. He said that will depend on how well the offensive line protects and if Newton can control his competitive urges to take off and run when pressured in the pocket. "If were playing well, doing good things and the offensive line is shoring up, well continue with him into the second (quarter)," Rivera said. "If not, weve got to be smart about this and make a decision." Newton has been practicing all week and even ran some read option. But Rivera said the Panthers wont be running the read option during the game. Nor does he want his quarterbacks adrenaline taking over and having him running all over the field. "He cant help himself because he loves to compete and he wants to win," Rivera said. "That is one of the things that is of concern — that hell get out there and he may see something, he may go from a three to a seven (in terms of effort) and the next thing you know hes out there doing his thing. Thats just who he is. Hes very competitive." The Panthers want Newton to avoid a setback before the regular season opener against Tampa Bay. "Each day its been getting better and better for me," Newton said. "At this point, we dont want to have any mishaps in the treatment process." Newton said hes doing what he can for a healthy return for the regular season. "The thing that keeps coming back up is, Keep treating it. Treat it when it feels good and treat it when it feels bad. Dont be that guy that only treats it when its nagging. Try to stay ahead of the pain," Newton said. "Thats what Ive been doing. Its been paying off." Rivera said some starters will play into the third quarter. Rivera is treating this game like the third preseason game because the Panthers have a short week coming up as they prepare for New England next Friday. This also will be the first chance for Newton to play with rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who has been his top target during training camp. The Panthers are hoping Benjamin fills the void left by veteran Steve Smith, who was released this past off-season. The Chiefs are looking for answers at wide receiver, too. Dwayne Bowe is expected to anchor their receiving corps, but he will miss the first regular-season game because of a suspension for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy. Junior Hemingway is emerging as a big slot receiver and DeAnthony Thomas has the talent of a playmaker. Donnie Avery, Kyle Williams, A.J. Jenkins and Frankie Hammond Jr. are also competing for playing time and all would benefit from a good showing against the Panthers. ___ AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City, Missouri, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Shaquille ONeal Heat Jersey . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died. Wayne Ellington Jersey . Karlovic of Croatia used his big serve to beat Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7). Kohlschreiber had lost all of his three previous matches against Istomin but the German broke serve for a decisive 3-2 lead in the third set and held on to reach his first final of the year. https://www.heatlockerroom.com/Edrice-Ad...Edition-Jersey/. There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Kelly Olynyk Jersey . Watch the action live on TSN and listen on TSN 1050 Radio beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Raptors maintained their spot atop the Atlantic Friday after defeating the Wizards, 96-88, for their second win in a row. Dwyane Wade Heat Jersey .com) - James Harden put the Houston Rockets on his back and willed them to an overtime victory on Thursday.ALAMEDA, Calif. - Khalil Mack has done just about everything the Oakland Raiders have asked of him his rookie season. He has solidified the run defence with his ability to fight off blocks and get into the backfield, pressured quarterbacks consistently as a pass rusher and forced offences to alter their game plans. The only thing lacking so far from Mack is something he was supposed to get frequently: a quarterback sack. Through seven games, Mack is still seeking his first sack despite being compared to pass rushing specialist Von Miller when he was drafted fifth overall in May. Its something thats kind of sitting on my mind, Mack said. All my teammates talk about it. It will come soon enough but even then Im working hard to get there. Mack has come awfully close, especially in recent weeks. He has been credited with 15 quarterback hurries and hits the past three games, according to Pro Football Focus, and his 22 pressures for the season are the most for any player without a sack. The consistent pressure is bound to lead to sacks soon enough. They will come, defensive co-ordinator Jason Tarver said. Keep pressuring the heck out of them, making sure everybody knows who you are and where is 52 and that stuff will happen. As long as hes around the ball, were happy. While Mack has lacked sacks, he has not lacked praise. Opposing quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Brian Hoyer singled him out after the past two games for his stellar play. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson called him a spectacular player who was playing like the defensive rookie of the year heading into Sundays game against the Seahawks. He jumps off the film, Seattle coach Peete Carroll said.dddddddddddd Every one of our coaches, when they break up and start looking at the Raiders and taking seriously what theyre doing well, everybody comes back talking about him. Hes almost unblockable and hes got a great motor. Hes fast, hes tough, hes instinctive. We think hes an obvious factor. Mack played down the wide-spread praise he has received in recent weeks, saying it means nothing until the Raiders (0-7) have more success on the field. Its gratifying in a personal aspect but you want to go out and win the game, he said. It can mean something once you stamp a win. But were still working on that win. All you see out there is hunger for a win. Mack has been dominant against the run, where he is the biggest reason for a dramatic turnaround in recent weeks by the Raiders. Oakland has allowed just 2.9 yards per carry in October, second to Denver for the NFL lead. Mack is tied with Tampa Bays Lavonte David for the NFL lead with 8 1/2 tackles behind the line of scrimmage against the run, including 5 1/2 the past two weeks. Hes going to be measured in whether or not he sacks the quarterback, but I would just say that its been a long time since Ive seen somebody do that in the run game, interim coach Tony Sparano said. What he did in the run game to an opponent, this guy Khalil has just really dominated. NOTES: CB Carlos Rogers (knee) did not practice for a second straight day with a knee injury and his status is unknown for Sunday. ... TE David Ausberry (foot), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), CB Keith McGill (groin), WR Vincent Brown (hamstring) and WR Kenbrell Thompkins (personal issues) also did not practice. ' ' '