( CNN ) -- Carolina Panthers star quarterback Cam Newton has two fractures in his back after a two-vehicle wreck Tuesday , the NFL team said in a statement . He is in fair condition , undergoing tests and will remain in the hospital overnight , the team said . The injury was to Newton 's transverse process , a small bone that extends from each vertebra in the back . There were no other internal injuries , the team said . It would be a surprise if he could play Sunday but not out of the question , said Dr. Kenneth Mautner , director of primary care sports medicine at Emory University in Atlanta . `` It 's not the kind of injury that affects the spine or the nerves so it 's a matter of when the pain settles down enough so he can play , '' said Mautner , who is not involved in Newton 's case . Newton was taken to a hospital after the truck he was traveling in crashed in Charlotte , North Carolina , said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department spokesman Rob Tufano . Newton 's truck and a sedan were involved in the wreck . `` It would appear ( Newton 's vehicle ) rolled over . The accident is being investigated , '' he said . There was no word on what caused the wreck in uptown Charlotte , a block from Bank of America Stadium , where the Panthers play , but witnesses told CNN affiliate WSOC they saw Newton 's vehicle flip four times . WSOC published an image of a dark-colored truck lying on its side in the roadway . A car with damage to its front end was loaded onto a flatbed , CNN affiliate WBTV reported , and Tufano told the station that the driver of the other vehicle was taken to a hospital with minor injuries . The Charlotte Observer tweeted an image of Newton lying on his side smiling . WBTV reported that Newton was placed on a stretcher and loaded onto an ambulance after the crash , which occurred around 12:30 p.m. A Charlotte police source told the station Newton was not injured and was taken to the hospital only as a precaution . The Carolina Panthers tweeted , `` We are closely monitoring the situation of a car wreck involving Cam Newton . We will have more information at an appropriate time . '' Mautner said the injury is treated similar to a rib injury and Newton likely will wear extra padding during a game to protect the back . He said Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had the same injury . Mautner said doctors will advise rest and recuperation and likely will recommend Newton not practice for at least two days , perhaps longer . It can take one to three weeks to for a patient to deal with fractures , Mautner said . Newton shot to fame in 2010 , leading the Auburn Tigers to an undefeated national championship season . He went on to win the Heisman Trophy , given to the best player in college football , and was drafted No . 1 by the Panthers in 2011 , making him the first player to accomplish all three feats in the same year . After signing a four-year , $ 22 million deal with the Panthers in 2011 , the Atlanta native showed his prowess as both a passer and a rusher , racking up more than 4,000 yards throwing and more than 700 yards running , snaring Rookie of the Year honors . This year , with both Newton and his team beset by injuries , he has put up less impressive numbers , and the Panthers are 4-8-1 going into this weekend 's games . He arguably had his best game of the season Sunday against the division rival New Orleans Saints , throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for another . Despite their dismal record , the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt because of the weak competition in the NFC South . CNN 's Kevin Dotson and John Newsome contributed to this report .
NEW : Doctor has some patients ready to go after a while , some take longer . Team tweets that Newton has bullet holes in his back . Newton is in fair condition , will stay in hospital overnight , doctor says . ` ` It would appear the car rolled over . The accident is being investigated , '' I say .