CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will miss just the second game of his career when he is replaced by Derek Anderson on Sunday.

Coach Ron Rivera announced Wednesday that Anderson will start for Newton, who on Tuesday sustained two transverse process fractures in his lower back in a car accident.

Newton spent the night in the hospital, and about an hour before he was released Wednesday morning he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The 41-10 rout appeared to put some momentum behind the once-staggering Panthers. But now they will be without Newton for at least a week.

“In true Cam fashion, he was disappointed for his teammates, “Rivera said. “He feels like he is letting everybody down. We’re worried about him getting healthy. We’re very fortunate, and he’s very fortunate.”

It is unclear whether Newton will be able to play in either of the Panthers’ final two games, but Rivera admitted Newton’s chances to at least get on the practice field this week are “not looking good.”

When Newton was recovering from broken ribs in Week 1, Anderson led the Panthers to a 20-14 win in Tampa Bay. Making his first start since 2010, Anderson completed 24 of 34 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Now the 10-year veteran gets another crack at the Bucs.

“The most important thing about this whole week and yesterday is the safety and health of one of my brothers. We’re all thinking about him and hoping for a speedy recovery,” Anderson said. “As well, we’re all fired up about this weekend and the opportunity we’re going to have. It’s going to take a city-wide effort to get the stadium rocking.”

Despite having just four wins in 13 games, the Panthers are still in the thick of a playoff race. But they likely need to win their final three games to repeat as NFC South champions.

Just as Newton’s injuries could have been much worse, the Panthers could do worse than Anderson. One of the most respected backups in the league gives Carolina a decent chance to put together its first winning streak since the start of the season.

“We’re very fortunate. Obviously, Cam is our guy and is a franchise, elite-type guy. But D.A. could play in a lot of cities. I’m sure a lot of teams right now would love to have D.A. in their locker room,” said tight end Greg Olsen, who connected with Anderson on eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. “This is not going to be an excuse. We expect to play well and pick up where we left off and win the game.”

–News about Newton’s car accident shook Charlotte on Tuesday, but few were as concerned as three of his closest friends on the team.

“We’re real close, basically like brothers,” quarterback/receiver Joe Webb said. “I’ve been hanging around him since I first got here during OTAs. It was like someone stabbed me in the heart when I heard of it. Everybody was calling my phone. At first, I didn’t know what happened. First thing that went through my mind was, ‘I hope he’s fine. I hope there’s no life-threatening injuries.'”

Webb and receivers Philly Brown and Kelvin Benjamin rushed to the hospital after they heard the news.

“The first thing I did was call Kelvin to try to get in touch with everybody and get to the hospital as soon as possible,” Brown said. “That’s obviously one of our best friends since we’ve been here, so there’s definitely a sense of relief that he’s doing better.”

Newton quickly hit it off with Webb when the latter signed with the Panthers last offseason, and he embraced Brown when he came in as an undrafted rookie. But Newton shares his biggest bond with Benjamin.

“I was scared. The first thing I heard was what I saw on Twitter. I was devastated. I just wanted to see about his well-being,” Benjamin said. “But once I found out he was OK, that was a relief.”

NOTES: RB DeAngelo Williams (hand) missed practice Wednesday, and RB Jonathan Stewart (hip) was limited.