he transferred from shortstop to left and now to center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Independent investigations by the NFL and NFLPA concluded the Carolina Panthers followed the concussion protocol after quarterback Cam Newton took a hit to the helmet in the fourth quarter of the Sept. 8 opener at Denver.Both sides released the findings of their investigations in a joint statement Wednesday.The NFL and NFLPA also determined the protocol was followed properly in a Sept. 15 game between Buffalo and the New York Jets in which Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor took a big hit and was cleared to return after missing just two plays.?Had the league found the Panthers and Bills violated the protocol, the organizations could have lost draft picks and been subject to fines.Denver safety Darian Stewart delivered a helmet-to-helmet blow to Newton on Carolinas final drive with 36 seconds to play in the opener. It was the fourth such hit Newton had taken in the game.Stewarts hit put Newton face-down on the turf, obviously shaken. Tight end Greg Olsen and several teammates rushed over to check on the NFL MVP, who stayed down longer than normal while officials huddled to sort out offsetting penalties.During the delay, Carolina trainer Ryan Vermillion came onto the field to check out Newton. Newton eventually got up slowly and made his way to the middle of the field, but he never was removed from the game.One of the symptoms officials look for when trying to determine whether a concussion occurred is the player being slow to get up.Newton eventually put Carolina in position for a 50-yard field goal attempt that was wide, leaving Denver with a 21-20 victory. Tom Kuhnhackl Jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Leo Komarov Jersey . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-mathew-barzal-islanders-jersey/ . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Andrew Ladd Islanders Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Jordan Eberle Islanders Jersey . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. The Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms on a deal with free agent Ian Desmond, a source confirmed to ESPNs Jim Bowden.The deal is five years and worth $70 million, the source said. Desmond is expected to play first base for the Rockies, a position hes never played in professional baseball.The news of the deal was first reported by Fox Sports.Desmond, 31, batted .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs this season for the Texas Rangers. He got an $8 million, one-year deal from Texas at the end of February after turning down a qualifying offer from Washington. He spent the first six years of his major league career as the Nationals starting shortstop before converting to center field for Texas in 2016.Desmond has demonstrated an ability to quickly adapt and succeed in a variety of situations.?He has been able to succeed because of who he is, Rangers outfielders coach Jayce Tingler said. He is a student of the game. Hes got a lot of experience in the big leagues. So when he transferred from shortstop to left and now to center, he used all that experience.Desmondss contract is the largest free-agent deal for a position player in Rockies history.dddddddddddd The only free agent to land a bigger contract with the club was pitcher Mike Hampton, who signed a $121 million deal in 2000.Desmond will receive annual salaries of $8 million, $22 million, $15 million, $15 million and $8 million, a source told ESPNs Jerry Crasnick. The deal includes a $2 million buyout on a $15 million club option for 2022.The Florida natives best pro season came with the Nationals in 2012, when he achieved career highs in home runs (25), batting average (.292) and OPS (.845). He has been an All-Star once and won three Silver Slugger awards.Because Desmond turned down the Rangers $17.2 million qualifying offer last month, Texas receives an extra selection after the first round of Junes amateur draft. The Rockies lose their top draft pick, the 11th selection overall.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '