With their playoff hopes dwindling, their quarterback ailing, and the burden of a long losing streak bearing down on them, the Carolina Panthers appear ready to concede the 2018 season. Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed on Wednesday that Cam Newton would be shut down for the final two games of the season with a right shoulder injury.

At 6-8, the Panthers are still technically alive in the NFC playoff picture. But their only shot involves winning their final two games, at home against the Atlanta Falcons and on the road against the New Orleans Saints, plus a convoluted scenario involving the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins.

According to Rivera, back-up QB Taylor Heinicke will start in Newton's place. The coach also mentioned that Newton was “disappointed,” but that he understood the decision.

His shoulder injury has been bothering him for several weeks, and over the Panthers' six-game losing streak he has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns (nine).

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Newton ends his 2018 season having started 14 games and setting a career-high in completion percentage at 67.8 percent. He has been a model of consistency on the field, having missed just three total regular season games in the course of his eight-year career.

Heinicke, who went undrafted in 2015, will be making his first career start. The 25-year-old was first signed by the Vikings but didn't see game action in two seasons with the team. He was briefly signed by the New England Patriots to the practice squad in 2017, and then made his first NFL regular season appearance with the Houston Texans.

In six total games, Heinicke is 3-for-5 passing with 56 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.