Newton will start Sunday's game against the Buccaneers but is expected to cede snaps to Sam Darnold (shoulder), who could supplant Newton as the team's starter for the final two games of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Newton's return to Carolina hasn't been an overly successful one, as the Panthers have gone 0-4 in his starts while he's completed only 54.1 percent of his throws for 5.6 yards per attempt. He's looked better from a fantasy perspective thanks to the 169 rushing yards and four scores on the ground he's accrued during that stretch, but as a 32-year-old veteran on an expiring deal, Newton may be less of a priority for the 5-9 Panthers than Darnold, who resumed practicing Wednesday and will put an end to a six-week absence Sunday after he was reinstated from injured reserve. Rapoport's report notes that if Darnold fares well in his initial snaps Sunday, he could end up playing a substantial amount, which makes it difficult to trust Newton in weekly leagues. Head coach Matt Rhule will then likely weigh the Week 16 performances of both quarterbacks before determining which of the two will get the starting nod in the penultimate game of the regular season next week in New Orleans.