Cam Newton's 2018 NFL season is over, with the Carolina Panthers choosing to rest their banged up franchise quarterback over the season's remaining two games, reports the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
League sources confirmed the news to ESPN.
After dropping their last six games, the Panthers sit at 6-8 through the first 14 games of the season, and they're all but mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs this season (ESPN's Football Power Index gives them a 1 percent chance to capture a berth). Another rationale for sitting the three-time Pro Bowler is a nagging right shoulder injury. Cam obviously throws with his right hand and risking further damage would be the height of folly.
Through 14 games, Newton has thrown 23 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions. His QBR of 57.4 is the highest its been since his MVP 2015 campaign, and his old fashioned quarterback rating is the second-highest of his career, trailing only the 2015 season. However, his four rushing touchdowns this season, are a career low. His beef with Kelvin Benjamin might be the most memorable moment from this year despite numbers that say he hasn't really declined at his position.
Backup Taylor Heinicke will start on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
