Quarterback Cam Newton returning to Carolina Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers announced Thursday that they’ve reached a deal to bring quarterback Cam Newton back to the team, pending a physical, WSOC-TV reported.

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The one-year contract will have Newton rejoining the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2011, according to The Associated Press. He played nine seasons with the Panthers before being released after the 2019 season amid shoulder and foot injuries, ESPN reported.

Last season, the 32-year-old played for the New England Patriots. He was released ahead of the start of the regular season, according to WSOC.

>> Related: Cam Newton released by New England Patriots

The panthers were looking for options for quarterbacks after starter Sam Darnold suffered a shoulder injury Sunday against the New England Patriots, the AP reported. The injury is expected to sideline Darnold for four to six weeks, according to ESPN. P.J. Walker is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, the sports news network reported.

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Newton threw for 29,041 yards, had 182 touchdown passes and 58 running touchdowns during his previous seasons with the Panthers, making him the all-time leader in all three categories, WSOC reported. He won the NFL offensive rookie of the year award in 2011 and league MVP honors four years later, when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a spot in the Super Bowl, according to the news station. The team ultimately lost Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos.

In a video posted last month on his YouTube channel, Newton said he has gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 and that he wanted to continue playing football.

“I still get that urge to go out and perform and do something that I’ve been doing since I was 7 years old. But also, it’s like, man, I’m so much more than just a football player,” he said, according to WSOC.

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