Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been playing hurt.
After losing 12-9 to New Orleans on Monday night, the Panthers’ sixth consecutive loss, the franchise is having the tough conversation about whether to bench the former league MVP.
So when the Falcons (5-9) face the Panthers (6-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, Newton, a former standout at Westlake High and Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn, might not be in the lineup.
Carolina coach Ron Rivera plans to meet with Newton later in the week before he makes a decision.
"It's a tough situation right now," Rivera told the Associated Press on Tuesday. "Until I get a chance to visit with him I'm not going to speculate."
Newton has had complications from his 2016 shoulder surgery and that has played a role in the Panthers’ slide.
After the Saints’ game, he discussed his shoulder soreness at length.
“It doesn’t matter how much you push,” Newton said to the Charlotte media during the postgame news conference. “Ice, anti-inflammatories you take ... I mean, trust me, I did it. Acupuncture. Massages. It’s just not been a time that (a) night has gone by without me getting some type of work done on my arm.
“We just don’t have the strength, from the range of motion.”
Newton had a chance to win the game, but couldn’t drive the ball down the field. He has completed only four of 16 attempts that have traveled 20-plus yards from the line of scrimmage during the six-game losing streak, according to NFL.com’s Next Gen Stats. He didn’t even attempt a pass that went for 20-plus yards against the Saints.
Newton completed 16 of 29 passes for 131 yards in the loss to the Saints.
“I wish I could say what the injury is because I don’t really know what it is either,” Newton said. “No matter how much you push, no matter how much you ice, the anti-inflammatory you take. Trust me, I’ve done it. Acupuncture, massages. There’s not a night that goes by without me getting some type of work done on my arm. You just don’t have the strength.
“From the range of motion, you work on the range of motion then come game time and you never know how the game can play out. Of course you try to stay under 25-30 throws, but if you surpass that or you get hit on it, or you have to run, or you get tackled and fall on your shoulder, certain things happen.”
Newton’s backup is Taylor Heinicke, who played at Collins Hill High and Old Dominion. He’s completed 2 of 4 passes for 46 yards this season.
Heinicke has spent time with the Vikings, Patriots and Texans. He has played in six NFL games.
The offense has been powered by running back Christian McCaffery and a slew of short passes from Newton.
McCaffery has rushed 194 times for 979 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s caught 94 passes for 768 yards and six touchdowns.
While Newton and the offense sputtered against the Saints, the Panthers’ defense was downright nasty.
Linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis led the way with 13 and 12 tackles respectively. Defensive back Captain Munnerlyn was all over the field. He had a sack, tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
Safety Eric Reid, who knelt to protest social and racial injustices during the national anthem with Colin Kaepernick, was signed by the Panthers on Sept. 27.
The Falcons talked to Reid over the offseason when they were looking for a backup safety. The ended up signing Ron Parker and then later trading for Jordan Richards.
The Falcons didn’t re-visit signing Reid after strong safety Keanu Neal and free safety Ricardo Allen were lost for the season. The Falcons elected to play second-year cornerback Damontae Kazee at free safety and split the strong safety position between Richards and Sharrod Neasman after a failed experiment to move nickel back Brian Poole to safety.
In the previous meeting, the Falcons defeated the Panthers 31-24 on Sept. 16. The Falcons rushed 32 times for 170 yards and quarterback Matt Ryan had two rushing touchdowns.
Even though both teams are not likely headed to the playoffs, the Falcons are expecting a battle from the Panthers because it’s a division game. The Falcons have been eliminated. The Panthers have a minuscule mathematical less than one percent chance.
“The division games are important,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “You get these matchups, you play them twice a year. They know you well. Certainly, no love lost, respectful, but no love lost between the two competitive teams. So, we know they'll be ready, and we will.”
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