Panthers make offensive line addition ahead of Washington game
There is some good news for Carolina Panthers fans ahead of their Sunday matchup against the Washington football team. Veteran guard John Miller has been activated and is expected to play this Sunday.
Miller has missed four games this season for various reasons. He missed the Panthers’ season opener against the New York Jets for COVID-related reasons. Then, after injuring his ankle in week seven against the New York Giants, Miller missed the next three games after being placed on Injured Reserve.
To make room for Miller on the active roster, Carolina will place cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver III on Injured Reserve. Thomas-Oliver has been placed on IR with a toe injury.
It is uncertain as of now whether Carolina will choose to start Miller this Sunday. But if he does start against the Washington football team, it will be the Panthers’ eighth different group of offensive linemen to start in the past 11 games.
Although the Panthers were missing Miller, a key offensive lineman these last three weeks, their offense has been on an upswing, when it comes to pass protection. Over the last three games, they have allowed just one sack. And against the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina had over 150 yards rushing each game.
Cam Newton gets the start Sunday
Cam Newton will get the start this weekend at quarterback when the Carolina Panthers host the Washington Football Team.
Head coach Matt Rhule made the announcement on Friday afternoon, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Newton is taking the field in place of an injured Sam Darnold and beat P.J. Walker out for the start.
Walker made the start, but Newton provided a spark for the Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals last weekend. Carolina topped one of the nation’s better teams, who was playing without quarterback Kyler Murray, 34-10. Newton finished 3-of-4 with eight yards and a touchdown pass plus three carries for 14 yards and a rushing score. He scored on his first play back.
Newton spent the first nine years of his NFL career in Charlotte after the Panthers used their No. 1 overall selection on the Auburn signal caller in 2011. He led the Panthers to three division titles, four playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance, and he was named NFL MVP in 2015.
In total, Newton started 124 of the 125 games in which he played for the Panthers and threw for 31,698 yards, 190 touchdowns and 118 interceptions. A true dual-threat quarterback, he also had 4,806 rushing yards and 58 scores on the ground.
Washington-Carolina kicks off at noon ET on Fox.