Newton to start at QB for Panthers, Walker could still play

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton laughs after being tackled after a long run against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Panthers won 34-10. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) (Darryl Webb, Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Cam Newton will start Sunday at quarterback against the Washington Football Team.

Rhule said P.J. Walker, who started in Carolina’s 34-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals last week, could still see action as well since there are portions of the game plan that Newton is still learning.

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“He has really done a nice job of learning the game plan for this week,” Rhule said of Newton, the league's MVP in 2015. “There is obviously a lot to learn and there are some parts that obviously he probably has a better grasp of than others. But he’s worked hard and he’s really a smart player, a smart quarterback.”

Newton scored touchdowns — one rushing and one passing — the first two times he touched the ball against the Cardinals. He played 12% of the team’s offensive plays after signing with the team just three days before the game.

As for Walker' role, Rhule said: “There are certain parts of the offense that Cam doesn't have a lot of exposure to yet, so we will have both guys up and ready to play and probably use both of them.”

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