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• Panthers' Cam Newton: Cedes majority of snaps to Darnold

  12/26/2021 • By RotoWire

  Newton started Sunday's 32-6 loss to the Buccaneers but completed just seven of 13 passes for 61 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and rushed five times for 42 yards. Newton initially was subbed out for Sam Darnold (shoulder) after throwing an interception with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter, and while he did reenter the game after that point, he ultimately put up 19 fewer attempts than his position mate. David Newton of ESPN.com reports that head coach Matt Rhule was non-committal about who will start the Week 17 road matchup against the Saints, but it seems clear that with a 5-10 record and nothing but next season to play for, the embattled head coach won't hesitate to rotate both signal-callers fairly liberally throughout a game depending on circumstances.

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• Panthers' Cam Newton: May lose starting job after Week 16

  12/26/2021 • By RotoWire

  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.

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• Panthers' Cam Newton: Named starter for Sunday

  11/19/2021 • By RotoWire

  Coach Matt Rhule confirmed Friday that Newton will start Sunday's game against Washington, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. Rhule also said fellow QB P.J. Walker will "probably" get playing time without elaborating on what exactly that means. Newton's rushing prowess, especially near the goal line, gives him some fantasy upside without much passing production, but it does become a harder sell if the Panthers are subbing Walker in on even a semi-regular basis. Of course, it's also possible Rhule is bluffing, or else leaving the door open to give Walker some snaps if Newton struggles early. Whatever the case, Newton is Carolina's starting quarterback again, at least for Week 11.

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• Panthers' Cam Newton: Getting starting reps in practice

  11/15/2021 • By RotoWire

  Newton will handle most of the No. 1 practice reps heading into Week 11's matchup against Washington, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports. Newton scored twice in his first action of the season during Sunday's win over the Cardinals, but he only touched the ball seven times. If he can get up to speed with Carolina's new playbook in time to face Washington in Week 11, it appears that Newton could officially return to the starting lineup for the Panthers. If not, P.J. Walker will stand to draw another start, with Newton potentially mixing in for situational snaps again.

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• Panthers' Cam Newton: Scores twice in 2021 debut

  11/15/2021 • By RotoWire

  Newton completed three of four passes for eight yards and a touchdown while rushing three times for 14 yards and another score in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Cardinals. Newton announced his return to the Panthers by producing touchdowns on his first two plays. He first rushed in from two yards on Carolina's opening drive before finding Robby Anderson for a two-yard passing score to cap the second series. In doing so, he made an immediate impact through the same dual-threat ability that made him a Panthers legend over his previous nine years with the franchise. Going forward, it remains to be seen whether Newton or P.J. Walker -- who completed 22 of 29 passes for 167 yards but threw an interception and lost a fumble Sunday -- will start at quarterback in Sam Darnold's (shoulder) absence, but Newton certainly made a strong impression in his brief season debut.

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