*Christian McCaffrey – Important
RB Christian McCaffrey set the franchise’s single-season record for yards from scrimmage during the first quarter of Monday’s 12-9 setback to the New Orleans Saints. McCaffrey rushed for a 9-yard run to break the record established by DeAngelo Williams, who accumulated 1,636 yards in 2008. Williams had 1,515 rushing yards and 121 receiving yards that season. The 22-year-old McCaffrey finished the game with 120 yards from scrimmage (53 rushing, 67 receiving) to boost his season total to 1,747 (979 rushing, 768 receiving). He has already set franchise records for receptions (94), receiving yards and receiving touchdowns (six) by a running back.
Cam Newton – Noteworthy – Injury
QB Cam Newton will not be shut down for the final two games of the season, said head coach Ron Rivera.
Newton is nursing an ailing right shoulder for the Panthers (6-8), who have lost six straight contests and are all but eliminated from playoff contention. They host the Atlanta Falcons (5-9) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET) and reside 1 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Vikings (7-6-1) and one game in back of the Philadelphia Eagles (7-7) and Washington Redskins (7-7) for the second wild-card spot in the NFC.
“We’ll wait till we have those conversations and see where we are,” Rivera said. “Until I get a chance to visit with (Cam), I am not going to speculate.”
Newton noted on Monday night that there’s a chance the Panthers shut him down for the final two weeks of the season.