CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton returned to practice Wednesday, although it remains unclear if the leagues MVP will play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.Newton took reps with the first-team offense after missing Monday nights game against Tampa Bay with a concussion.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Newton remains in the leagues concussion protocol and its too early to know his status for this weeks game at the Superdome.He looked good and threw the ball pretty doggone well, Rivera said. He was involved in the plays that we had scripted for him and handled those very well.Rivera said now the team is waiting with bated breath to find out how Newton responds on Thursday when he reports to work following his first day of practice in nearly two weeks.Its all part of the concussion protocol, Rivera said.Newton, who usually talks publicly on Wednesdays, was not available after practice.Wearing a helmet and his red No. 1 practice jersey, Newton threw passes and joked with teammates in the huddle before taking snaps during the first 20 minutes of action that were open to the media. Newton threw the ball around and jogged during the half-speed portion of practice.Carolina (1-4) is marred in a three-game losing streak.But teammates said Newtons return -- and the energy he brings with him to work -- gave everyone a lift.Having the MVP back in your offense is a big deal, All-Pro center Ryan Kalil said. Its tough especially the way that hes not been around here with the head injury. So anytime someone like that is able to come back you are very excited.Added tight end Greg Olsen: I think it was a good step for him. Its good to see him back and feeling good. Obviously we know how important he is to this team.Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, also was back at practice on a limited basis. Like Newton, its still too early in the week to know if he will play this week.Left tackle Michael Oher (concussion), cornerback James Bradberry (toe) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle) remained out of practice. Defensive tackle Paul Soliai missed practice and underwent an x-ray on his foot.Newton has struggled in his four starts, completing just 57.9 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and five interceptions. His quarterback rating of 80.2 ranks 32nd in the league.However, he has played well in the past against the Saints.Last season Newton completed 48 of 72 passes for 646 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception in two wins against New Orleans. He threw five touchdowns in a 41-38 win at the Superdome in 2015.Were not preparing for anybody but Cam, Saints said Kenny Vaccaro said Wednesday. When you get a concussion and you practice, how many times are you out the next day? Never. Its not like its a lingering issue where its an ankle where they tried to let him practice. If youre cleared from a concussion, youre cleared.Vaccarro said he doesnt anticipate Newton will be more tentative if he plays Sunday.I think hes such a competitor that its not going to change much, Vaccaro said. ... Hes not going to be sitting there like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady in the pocket; I dont believe that. Hell still be trying to score touchdowns just like he always does.Newton has only missed three starts during his six-year NFL career.He was knocked out of the fourth quarter of Carolinas Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons when he slowed down on a 2-point conversion run and was hit near the goal line by linebacker Deion Jones.Rivera said Newton told him he never saw Jones coming from the outside until it was too late.If Newton is unable to play Sunday, the Panthers will again turn to Derek Anderson. The 33-year-old Anderson started against the Buccaneers and had three turnovers in a 17-14 loss, including a costly turnover on a first-and-2 at the Bucs 2-yard line in the fourth quarter.---Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Borussia Dortmund Jerseys . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Authentic http://www.chinasoccerjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-arsenal-jerseys . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Cheap Soccer Jerseys China . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Cheap Football Jerseys . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers told a national anthem singer and a middle finger-flipping fan to hit the road.Russell Westbrook then sent the Sixers packing with a loss and showed life without Kevin Durant might not be so bad for Oklahoma City.Westbrook stared down a double bird and spoiled Joel Embiids debut with 32 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Thunder to a 103-97 victory on Wednesday night.Westbrooks surge down the stretch capped a peculiar night in Philly.The 76ers had a tripleheader of image faux pas on opening night: The scheduled anthem singer says she was booted because she wanted to wear a We Matter jersey; a fan was kicked out for extending two middle fingers at Westbrook; and halftime singer Desiigner was booed off the court for a shirtless performance where he dropped his pants past his rear.Crazy, right? Westbrook said. I turned a new leaf though because that cost me $25,000 last time. I guess the fan, hell be all right. I guess they can say whatever they want to the players and do what they want.Westbrook was fined by the league for directing inappropriate language toward a fan in a playoff game last year. He took the high road toward the Sixers fan and stuck around to score the decisive points on opening night for the Thunder in their first game since Durant left in free agency and signed with the Golden State Warriors.Embiid nearly matched Westbrook down the stretch and showed a needed spark for the Sixers.Embiid scored 20 points in 22 minutes in his first game since the Sixers made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Embiid had sat out the last two seasons with foot injuries. He received a roaring ovation when he was introduced and fans went wild on every shot.Fans chanted Trust The Process when Embiid was at the free-throw line. The catchphrase became a rallying cry under former team president Sam Hinkie.Having the fans chant that, it was special and I loved it, Embiid said.Westbrook and Embiid swapped jumpers that tied the game 97-all. Westbrook sank two free throws with 35 seconds left for a 99-97 lead in front of a raucous crowd. Enes Kanter silenced them for good and sent them toward the exits with a putback layup after the Sixers missed a shot on the other end.Yes, it was another loss for the Sixers, but one that came with a 7-foot-2 asterisk.Embiids performance largely stole the show from the opening-night shenanigans that otherwise tarnished the night.Sixers fans who had been waiting to cheer for Embiid for more than two years went wild every time he touched the ball. A group of fans held a signn that read, In Embiid We Trust.ddddddddddddThe Sixers just might prove they made the right decision to trust in Embiid.The sellout crowd of 20,487 fans erupted when the 7-foot-2 center from Kansas, Joooooel, Embiiiiid was introduced during game introductions. They stood and gasped when Embiid attempted his first shot of the game -- a missed 3-pointer.He had a nifty spin in the post and a bucket for a quick 10-2 lead.The Sixers, yes, the 10-72 Sixers, at last had a dose of good news.Embiid starred on a nationally televised performance and gave a teasing glimpse that he just may be the franchise cornerstone player that can help shift the franchise toward respectability.I love this city and I just want to appreciate the moment, he said.Westbrook, now The Man in OKC, refused to cede the spotlight entirely to Embiid. He scored 12 points in the first quarter and 22 through three to keep the Thunder within striking distance entering the fourth.TIP-INSThunder: Coach Billy Donovan said the Thunder will win without Durant, just do it in a different way. It will be a constant process throughout the season to get everyone to understand, he said.76ers: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard rang the ceremonial opening bell. ... UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez was at the game.ANTHEM CONTROVERSYPhiladelphia 76ers national anthem singer Sevyn Streeter says she was told by the team she could not perform because of her We Matter jersey. Streeter wrote on Twitter, Was suppose to sing the anthem at (at)sixers & (at)okcthunder game but mins b4 (at)sixers said I couldnt because I was wearing a We Matter jersey.FAN TOSSEDThe Sixers ejected a portly fan in an Allen Iverson jersey who directed both middle fingers toward Westbrook from his courtside seat. The fan raised his arms in triumph and high-fived fans as he was escorted out of the arena.DESIIGNER FLAW:Rapper Desiigner was booed off the court for a halftime performance where he performed shirtless and left with his jeans down almost to his ankles and his boxers exposed.SIMMONS UPDATENo. 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons says there is no timetable for his return to the Sixers from a broken bone in his right foot. He said he has not discussed the possibility of sitting out the season.Ill come back when Im ready, Simmons said.UP NEXTThunder: Host Phoenix on Friday in their home opener.76ers: Host Atlanta on Saturday. They open with three straight and five of their first six at home. 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