CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton will make his first start in his second stint with Carolina on Sunday against Washington and former Panthers coach Ron Rivera.
Coach Matt Rhule made it official on Friday after the 32-year-old quarterback got in a full week of practice working with the first team.
"He's really done a nice job learning the game plan for this week,'' Rhule said of Newton. "He's worked really hard. He's really a smart player. Really a smart quarterback.''
Newton signed a one-year contract eight days ago that will pay him up to $10 million to finish the season.