CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Perhaps it was a hint. At least an indication.

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera was adamant on Wednesday he wasn't ready to name his starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

He still wants a few more days to evaluate if Cam Newton, eight days removed from suffering two small fractures in his lower back in a two-vehicle crash, is healthy enough to start.

He said how Newton looks on Thursday after a successful return to practice on Wednesday will be big.

So Rivera is playing his options close to the vest, knowing Derek Anderson is more than capable as the starter if called upon for a second straight week.

When asked if Newton will start if he looks ready to go, he gave one of his patented "we'll sees."

The hint might have come when Rivera said this felt like Week 2 when the Panthers were preparing for Detroit.

Newton sat out the opener against Tampa Bay, recovering from fractured ribs suffered during the preseason. He returned to practice full the following Wednesday and started against the Lions.

He was effective, too, despite not being allowed to run at will. He completed 22 of 34 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown for a passer rating of 100.2. He handled being sacked four times.

He also ran four times for 19 yards.

If this feels like Week 2, Newton will start.

The difference is, Rivera said on the Monday of the Detroit game that Newton was ready to roll, barring a setback. He hasn't been quite that bold this week.

But Newton showed no signs on Wednesday of a player who'd been through the trauma of a car accident. He sprinted arguably faster than he has all season from the field where the team stretched to the adjacent field where the first drill took place.

He made moves running the read option that looked more like a player trying to convince those watching he was ready than one showing off.

He showed no signs of being in pain.

Anderson might be the safe play at this point, but the Panthers (5-8-1) aren't in a position of needing to be safe with two games remaining and the NFC South title hanging in the balance.

Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin said Newton's passes were "coming out with a lot of fire." Tight end Greg Olsen said Newton looked normal throwing the ball.

Rivera was impressed that Newton had a lot of zip on a couple of 60-yard passes that weren't completed.

It's been a tough season for the Panthers on and off the field. Their record isn't nearly what they had hoped.

That they have a chance to make the playoffs if they can win their final two games and New Orleans loses once is amazing.

Newton, unless he suffers a setback over the next two days, should play because he gives Carolina the best chance to turn a tough season potentially into a memorable one.