Panthers to start Cam Newton, play Sam Darnold this week

Darnold’s been out since going on injured reserve with a shoulder injury in Week 10.

During the early part of the season, he played efficiently and well. Then Christian McCaffrey got hurt, then the protection around him broke down, then receivers started dropping passes, and then he himself started making mistakes he hadn’t made. He’s thrown seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions this year.

The fact he’s on the books for $18.9 million next year makes it incumbent on them to make the right decision about him for the future.

All of that makes this week, to put it simply, complicated.

“Obviously, Cam brings a unique skill set that not many do, in terms of running and throwing the football,” Rhule said. “We had a (15)-play drive last game, that unfortunately didn’t result in points. I want to see our guys play clean football. I want to see them continue to improve in the passing game. That’s something that’s affected us through the middle stretch of the season. Early on in the season, I thought we were an excellent passing team. I’d like to see us get back to that. I want to see our team win, and our quarterbacks move us down the field.

“Sam was 4-5 as a starter, had some excellent moments early. We all know he kind of hit a little bit of a rut there. He’s had some time off. So when he has an opportunity to play, I’d certainly love to see him show what he can do. We brought him here to be the starter, see if he can play at that level again. I want to see Cam do the things Cam does at such a high level, move the ball down the field with his legs, with his arm. And if P.J. (P.J. Walker) gets in, want to see him do the same thing.

“Protecting the football, driving the football, winning third downs, the passing game, those are all areas we’re working on.”

— Rhule said that with veteran left tackle Cameron Erving (calf) limited in practice, rookie Brady Christensen took the first-team reps at that position.

He also said that wide receiver DJ Moore (hamstring), who didn’t practice Wednesday, would “go all the way to Sunday” and be a game-time decision.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was also on the injury report (limited, knee), but said afterward he didn’t even realize he was on the report and was fine.