Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has not played to his full capability as of late this season. Newton has thrown for 2,699 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven touchdowns along with 417 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Newton and the Panthers were off to an incredibly hot start to the season but have suffered four straight losses. Carolina hasn't won a game since Week 9 against the Tampa bay Buccaneers, but this Sunday the Bucs got their revenge.
This was the Panthers' fourth straight loss and Newton looked a little out of sorts, throwing for an uncharacteristic four interceptions. Newton did pass for 300 yards and two touchdown passes, but it's clear Newton just wasn't himself.
Head coach Ron Rivera spoke about his star quarterback and acknowledged something was, in fact, off about the former MVP's throwing arm. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke was called upon for the second time this season as Newton experienced right shoulder discomfort.
According to Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk, Newton's shoulder has been bothering him this season.
“He had surgery in March 2017 and hasn’t seemed right all year, unable to throw deep as effectively as in the past. They’ve game-planned away from that and he’s played with some degree of efficiency, but Sunday his protection wasn’t good (four sacks) and neither was he (four interceptions).”
The Panthers will have to take a cautious approach with their star quarterback going forward and if they hope to make a run for the Wild Card spot behind the New Orleans Saints they will need Newton at full health.
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