the field for the start of training camp Friday night

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pro Bowlers Cam Newton and Greg Hardy will be ready to practice when the Carolina Panthers take the field for the start of training camp Friday night. The same cant be said of often-injured running back Jonathan Stewart. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Newton has been cleared medically following ankle surgery on March 19 and is expected to participate in all drills -- which comes as great news for coach Ron Rivera, who is returning from a European vacation. "Cam will participate full go and we will monitor just to make sure," Rivera said. "He will go through treatments to make sure, in terms of maintenance, but he is starting day one and will be on the field." Newton was not made available for interviews Thursday. Rivera said Newton recently worked with some of Carolinas receivers away from team facilities and came away feeling good about his surgically repaired ankle. "Im pretty excited about having him back on the field full time with those guys," Rivera said. Gettleman said Hardy, convicted on two counts of domestic violence last week, will not face any suspension from the Panthers at this time. He said the team will follow the leagues stance and let the legal process play out. "We constantly talk to our players about putting themselves in a position to succeed both on the field and even more importantly in life, so what has happened with Greg is very concerning and very disappointing," Gettleman said in the teams first public comments on Hardy since his conviction July 16. "These are very serious allegations," the GM said. "At the same time, we also respect the fact that Greg has appealed the decision and is entitled to a jury trial. We have been in touch with the league and were in the position that they have a personal conduct policy, which we are a part of. At the same time, we have to respect the legal process. Thats basically where were at." Hardy appealed the conviction last week after a judge sentenced him to a 60-day suspended jail sentence and 18 months probation for assault on a female and communicating threats. His appeal will be heard by a jury trial, but a date has not been set and it could be several months -- likely after the completion of the NFL season and would become a free agent -- before the case is heard in court. Hardy, who signed Carolinas franchise tag tender for $13.1 million, is a key player on the leagues No. 2-ranked defence. He had a career-high 15 sacks last season and has 26 sacks over the past two seasons. Gettleman said Hardys arrest in May did not play a role in the teams decision not to offer him a long-term contract. However, Gettleman wouldnt discuss Hardys long-term future with the team. Hardys teammates said they dont believe his off-the-field issues will be a distraction moving forward as the Panthers prepare to defend their NFC South title. "Its completely separate from anything were doing here," tight end Greg Olsen said. Stewart, who missed 17 games the past two seasons, pulled a hamstring recently in workouts and will miss 1-2 weeks. Gettleman also said offensive guard Edmund Kugbila, a former fourth-round draft pick, will have back surgery and will miss the entire season. The Panthers had high hopes for Kugbila when they draft him but hes not played a game for Carolina since coming into the league. Gettleman said safety Tre Boston (hernia) and cornerback De-Andre Pressley (stress fracture) will start training camp on the physically unable to perform PUP list. The Panthers went 12-4 last season but lost to San Francisco in the divisional playoffs. "To get that far and to lose, especially at home, was a tough pill to swallow," Olsen said. "Its disappointing, but its over. ... We are trying to get to where we were." 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Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Tight end Rob Gronkowski is one of six New England Patriots starters inactive for the final regular-season game for the AFCs top seed.With home-field advantage clinched throughout the conference playoffs going into Sundays game against Buffalo, the Patriots also listed as inactive five regulars who were questionable on the injury report — wide receiver Julian Edelman (thigh, concussion), cornerback Brandon Browner (groin), linebacker Donta Hightower (shoulder), tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back) and guard Dan Connolly (knee).ddddddddddddunning back Jonas Gray already had been declared out with an ankle injury.Two starters are inactive for the Bills: defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (knee) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (concussion). 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