Cam Newton will miss Week 16, reportedly sitting rest of season

The Carolina Panthers will sit quarterback Cam Newton against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, general manager Marty Hurney told the team's website Wednesday. Newton is also expected to miss Week 17's matchup versus the New Orleans Saints, sources told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

Newton has been dealing with a shoulder injury since Week 8 when he was first listed on the injury report. He is not practicing Wednesday, Rapoport adds.

"It hasn't got worse over the weeks, it hasn't got better over the weeks," Newton said Tuesday.

Newton doesn't require surgery "at this time" but the team will continue to evaluate him, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.

After starting the season 6-2, the Panthers dropped six straight games - all but mathematically eliminating them from playoff contention.

Taylor Heinicke will make his first regular-season NFL start Sunday in place of an inactive Newton. Heinicke threw for 323 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception through four preseason games.

Newton presumably ends his season with 3395 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He added 488 yards on the ground with four touchdowns.