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Is Sam Darnold hurt or playing this week against the Buccaneers? Should I start Cam Newton if Sam Darnold is active? Read the Week 16 injury updates.
It's been a roller-coaster season for the Panthers, who have started three different quarterbacks this season. Once upon a time, they were a 5-5 team that was inserting franchise legend Cam Newton into the lineup. Now, they are 5-9, and are looking towards next year.
As for this year, though, it appears they aren't done with the turmoil at the quarterback position. Will Sam Darnold play in Week 16 and make his return from injury? Is Cam Newton going to remaining the starter? Let us take a closer look.
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Is Sam Darnold Playing This Week Against the Buccaneers?
After being designated to return off of injured reserve not too long ago, Sam Darnold is expected to make his return from injury and play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16:
Darnold hasn't played since Week 9 due to a shoulder injury, and wasn't particularly effective when in action. After a hot start to the season, he finished as the QB23 or worse in four of his five most recent starts. Meanwhile, he's averaging just 4.98 yards/pass attempt in his past five games played. In other words, him being inserted potentially back in the lineup wouldn't necessarily be a boost for Carolina's pass catchers.
Should I Start Cam Newton in Week 16 Against the Buccaneers?
As indicated in the tweet above, Cam Newton will start this week. He's coming off of a QB6 finish due to his rushing production (71 yards, one touchdown), but he has yet to provide much as a passer (5.5 yards/pass attempt, 49.4 PFF grade).
We've already seen Newton benched for P.J. Walker multiple times this season, and the team doesn't trust him in the two-minute offense due to his lack of familiarity with the offensive scheme and limitations as a passer. On the bright side, DJ Moore has had three straight games with 10 targets, while Robby Anderson is averaging as many targets over the past two games; he's condensed the passing game. That being said, it's unlikely that volume is going to lead to high-end numbers for the team's pas catchers.
Newton has a nice rushing floor, but with the head coach already coming out and saying he's going to be benched at some point, it's hard to have any trust in him. The team has already invested in Sam Darnold - $19 million next year - so they are very likely to get him involved down the stretch.
Thus, even in superflex leagues, I would not start Newton this week. Quarterback timeshares are something that should be avoided, especially with one of the least productive offenses of the year.
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