Cam Newton will play in Week 16 if Ron Rivera is confident he can protect himself.

The Carolina Panthers won in Week 15 despite Newton being out following his car accident.

Rivera said there's a rehab progression that doctors and trainers have laid out for Newton, and his status will be determined based on whether he meets those goals.

But Rivera said ultimately it will come down the coach's confidence that he won't be exposing Newton to further injury by playing him against the Browns.

"I don’t want to put a guy out there that can’t protect himself," Rivera said Monday. "By that it’s being able to run out of the way, scramble out of the way, stay alive, keep the play alive by being able to get away. That’s all part of it. That’s all part of the decision that went into the first Tampa Bay game."