The Carolina Panthers shut down quarterback Cam Newton for the final two games of the season due to shoulder issues, allowing second-year signal-caller Taylor Heinicke to take the reins.

Well, now, the Panthers may need to dig deeper and use a third quarterback.

Heinicke will be getting an MRI on his non-throwing elbow after injuring it during his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, according to Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk.

The 25-year-old left the game against the Falcons after landing awkwardly but returned with a large brace on his left arm.

Heinicke completed 33 of his 53 passes for 274 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions in the defeat, posting a passer rating of 58.2.

The Atlanta native, who played his collegiate football at Old Dominion, went undrafted in 2015 but signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in May of that year.

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He remained with the Vikings through September 2017, never playing in an actual game with the team. He then landed with the New England Patriots for a couple of weeks before being cut.

Heinicke then made his way to the Houston Texans, where he made one appearance last season, completing one pass for 10 yards.

He then finally signed with the Panthers last April and earned the first start of his career on Sunday.

Carolina is in the midst of a very disappointing season. The Panthers began the year with a record of 6-2 and seemed poised to contend in the NFC, but they have since lost seven straight games.

They will end their season against the New Orleans Saints next weekend.