AP photo With two preseason games reportedly being scrapped by the NFL, Cam Newton could make his Patriots debut vs. his former Panthers team on Aug. 20.

Could Cam Newton potentially see his first action as a New England Patriot against his former team, the Carolina Panthers?

It’s possible. Although no official announcement has been made, multiple reports have said the National Football League is cancelling two preseason games, likely due to the pandemic. That could leave the Patriots with their first preseason game slated to be at Gillette Stadium vs. Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Reportedly Weeks 1 and 4 have been scrapped. For the Patriots, that would mean the preseason opener on Thursday, Aug. 13 vs. the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium and road game vs. the New York Giants on Sept. 3 are no more.

The move would leave the Patriots with a home game on Aug. 20 vs. Carolina, and at Philadelphia on Aug. 27.

There have also been reports that say the NFL Players Association may lobby the owners to scrap the entire preseason.

Meanwhile, details are filtering out on Newton’s contract with the Patriots, who have yet to announce the signing pending a physical. Reportedly he’s guaranteed just $550,000 of his $1.05 million base salary.

But that doesn’t seem to bother Newton, who on Thursday on his Instagram account said “This is not about money for me. It’s about respect.”

He can reportedly earn $43,750 for every regular season game he is on the active roster. Incentives in the deal are said to add up $5.75 million, to bring the total to $7.5 million.

Newton’s contract also gives the Patriots the right to still apply the franchise tag for next season. Ironically, Newton’s injury shortened 2019 season, his final one with Carolina, was severely impacted by a bad foot injury he suffered in the preseason at Gillette vs. New England last August.

Although the Patriots have yet to announce their official training camp opening date, the leaguewide opening day the NFL has designated is still July 28.

The regular season as of now is slated to open on Thursday night, Sept. 10 defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City hosting the Houston Texans. The Patriots are set to open vs. Miami at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Gillette Stadium.

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