Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton remains limited at practice

NASHVILLE -- Quarterback Cam Newton didn't take part in the scrimmage situations during the first day of joint workouts with the Tennessee Titans, but he was involved in some 7-and-7 drills when the teams gathered for the second of those workouts Thursday.

So, while there has been progress shown as he comes back following offseason shoulder surgery, there continues to be an incomplete sample.

Newton has been praised by head coach Ron Rivera for bringing energy and enthusiasm to workouts, though his role needs to be much more than a cheerleader for the Panthers to be comfortable entering the season.

The Panthers play their second preseason game Saturday when they take on the Titans in Nashville.

The status of Newton, who didn't play in the first preseason game, remains unclear. Rivera said that situation will be evaluated after Thursday and Friday, but the odds of Newton playing in that preseason matchup appear slim.

--The Panthers haven't participated in combined workouts with other NFL teams often, but there were positive reviews coming from the sessions this week with the Tennessee Titans. The teams meet in a game setting for a preseason matchup Saturday afternoon in Nashville.

"Just to change it up," veteran tight end Greg Olsen said of the scrimmaging, noting it's only the second time in his career when he has been involved in this type of setting. "Get some different looks. It's nice to get some reps against different styles. ... Guys played hard and competed."

Rivera said he liked the different looks that his team was confronting. He said the sessions were valuable.

"I really appreciated the tempo," he said. "I feel very good about what we got done."

Any feistiness between the teams was kept to a minimum.

"We came from both sides and kept it professional," linebacker Thomas Davis said.

--Meanwhile, Davis has a contract extension, so that puts to rest at least one of the potential uneasy feelings for a veteran player entering the season.

Davis, who has been one of the franchise's most popular players, received a one-year extension that goes through the 2018 season. Terms weren't released by the team, though reports have listed the deal being worth $6.76 million.

It came through negotiations that involved interim general manager Marty Hurney, who returned to the organization to replace fired Dave Gettleman about a week before the opening of training camp.

Davis, 34, praised Hurney's role, and he dismissed any notion of frustration.

"I was confident this was going to get done," Davis said. "It's a negotiation for a reason. ... It's all about moving forward."

That leaves Olsen's request for a contract extension still unresolved.