The Carolina Panthers are facing questions from the NFL after quickly clearing Cam Newton to return to Sunday's playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.

The controversy comes less than two weeks after a league mandate requiring more extensive concussion testing for players demonstrating obvious symptoms.

League officials have already been in contact with the Panthers' medical staff as to why Newton was not taken to the locker room when he was being evaluated for a concussion.

Newton was slow to get up after defensive tackle David Onyemata hit him with 8 minutes, 26 seconds remaining in the Panthers' 31-26 loss. He was replaced by Derek Anderson, and, as he moved toward the sideline, Newton went to the ground and appeared to be pointing toward his right eye.

Ron Rivera said after the game that Newton had been poked in the eye. But in revisions to its concussion policy announced Dec. 29, the NFL said it would "require 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)."