Over 10 Years of Bearing Down
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will not play on Sunday against Atlanta and is expected to be shut down the final two games as he continues to deal with a sore throwing shoulder, a league source confirmed to ESPN.
Newton has been battling soreness in his right shoulder since throwing 22 passes in the fourth quarter of a come-from-behind win against Philadelphia on Oct. 21.
Newton arrived at practice on Wednesday without a helmet and wearing sweats. Backup Taylor Heinicke is taking the first-team snaps.
The decision to shut down the 2015 NFL MVP's season came two days after Newton struggled in Monday night's 12-9 loss to New Orleans that left the Panthers (6-8) with less than a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Newton completed 16 of 29 pass attempts with no touchdowns and one interception for a season-low 52.5 passer rating against the Saints.
Afterward, Newton expressed frustration over the constant stiffness and soreness in his shoulder. He said nothing he has tried, from acupuncture to massages, has worked.
"You can't rub magic dust on it, go to this or that person, have the placebo things done where you think certain things are what they are -- and you come out and you're still the same,'' Newton said at the time. "Over the past couple of weeks nothing has really changed.''
Three weeks ago, before a loss at Tampa Bay, Newton said he was playing the best football of his career. He proceeded to throw four interceptions against the Buccaneers.
During Carolina's six-game losing streak Newton has thrown at least one interception in every game.