Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suffered two transverse process fractures in his lower back on Tuesday as a result of a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The former Heisman winner was taken to a local hospital where he was in "fair condition" late Tuesday night, spokesman Charlie Dayton said to Reuters.
Newton, 25, suffered no internal injuries and Dayton doesn't think the injury will require surgery. It is unclear if Newton will be ready to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Charlotte on Sunday however.
The two-car accident took place on a bridge directly over I-277 around 12:30 p.m., police said. The driver in the second vehicle involved in the accident was also taken to the hospital.
"It's not the kind of injury that affects the spine or the nerves so it's a matter of when the pain settles down enough so he can play," said Dr. Kenneth Mautner, director of primary care sports medicine at Emory University in Atlanta.
A witness confirmed that Newton's truck rolled over a few times, and TV footage showed the quarterback on a stretcher being placed in an ambulance.
Police provided no details on the cause of the accident, which took place right outside Bank of America Stadium.
Newton was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft out of Auburn University and is a two-time Pro Bowler. He has started every game for the Panthers since entering the league, but that streak could come to an end this week.
The Panthers are 4-8-1 this season, though they are coming off a big 41-10 upset over the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 7.
Newton completed 21 of 33 passes in the game for three touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown, which triggered a bench-clearing brawl after Newton performed his signature Superman touchdown dance.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo suffered two fractures in his transverse process earlier this year and was out just one game.
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