Cam Newton Expected To Miss Carolina's Final Two Games, Likely Ending Panthers' Slim Playoff Hopes

Cam Newton has been battling a shoulder injury this season, and the ailment will likely force him to miss the remainder of the year. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the quarterback didn’t practice Wednesday and is not expected to play in either of the Carolina Panthers’ final two games.

The news comes less than 48 hours after the team was defeated by the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football.” The loss dropped Carolina to 6-8 and 1.5 games out of the playoff race.

The Panthers aren’t eliminated from playoff contention, but they would need a lot of help in order to reach the postseason. Even winning their upcoming games with the Atlanta Falcons and Saints likely wouldn’t be enough to give them the NFC”s No.6 seed. With Newton being shut down, Carolina just about kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

Since putting up some of the best numbers of his career, Newton has not played like a good starting quarterback. Carolina is on a six-game losing streak, and the former NFL MVP has thrown nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions during that span. He hasn’t posted a passer rating north of 70.0 in any of his last three contests.

Taylor Heinicke will get the start in Newton’s place. He has just five pass attempts and no starts in his three-year career.

Carolina was a 2.5-point favorite Wednesday before it became public that Newton would sit. Atlanta is now a three-point favorite, according to OddsShark.