Panthers QB Newton sits out practice; Anderson prepping

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Derek Anderson is preparing as if he will start Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Cam Newton still in the league’s concussion protocol.

The 33-year-old Anderson took reps with Carolina’s first-team offense for the second straight day, while Newton did not attend the team’s outdoor practice. Panthers coach Ron Rivera offered little in terms of an update on Newton’s playing status, saying he won’t make a decision on the 2015 MVP until later this week.

“We are not forcing players to get onto the football field,” Rivera said emphatically Thursday.

Giants’ Mara discusses Beckham Jr. at Vatican

The volatile nature of Odell Beckham Jr . was on John Mara’s mind at a Vatican conference on faith and sport. The New York Giants president, CEO and co-owner, appearing at the conference on Thursday, discussed the receiver’s latest outbursts on the sidelines.

“He’s a young man who is very emotional but he’s basically a very good young man who does a lot of good things off the field. But he plays the game with a lot of passion and sometimes he goes a little too far,” Mara said.

While Beckham is one of the NFL’s most talented receivers, he’s been making more headlines lately for tantrums, outbursts and penalty flags.

Falcons fined for too much offseason contact

The Atlanta Falcons were penalized on Thursday by the NFL for having excessive contact in offseason workouts. The Falcons must forfeit their first three days of organized team activities in 2017 as punishment for a workout in May which involved excessive levels of on-field physical contact.

Bills players fined for pre-game scuffle

Three Buffalo Bills defensive backs are paying a price for their involvement in a pre-game, on-field altercation with members of the New England Patriots. Safety Robert Blanton says the NFL fined him $21,000 and cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman says he was fined $10,000. Safety Aaron Williams was also fined but wouldn’t reveal how much. “It’s up there,” Williams said.

One of Chargers original minority owners dies

George Pernicano, one of the five original San Diego Chargers minority owners who purchased interest in the team in 1963, has died, the team said. He was 98.