Cam Newton said he was hiding how much his left foot sprain was bothering him before the season. Newton won't return to the field until he is 100 percent healed.

The Panthers have called the injury a midfoot sprain, which technically is a Lisfranc sprain.

"I've decided I will take time away from the game," Newton, 30, said in his first public comments since reinjuring the foot. "This is me being the bigger person and being real with myself and saying, 'Look, what's the ultimate goal you're trying to accomplish? Win the Super Bowl. OK, if you want to win the Super Bowl, this is the step you've got to take.'

"It could very well be a week. Or two weeks. It could be three weeks, it could be four weeks, it could be six weeks. But I have to understand and know if it takes that time, I trust in this team that they will -- we will -- still be in a great situation by the time I get back."

Newton admitted he probably shouldn't have even played in Week 1.