The Carolina Panthers benched Cam Newton during the team's 33-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Head coach Matt Rhule explained that Newton will remain the starter and the decision was made to preserve his health.
"At the end of the day we weren't protecting the quarterback at all,'' he explained. "It wouldn't be fair to keep Cam in there and keep getting him hit.''
Cam finished the game with 92 yards with two interceptions,
"I was fine with that,'' Cam said. "At the end of the day it's still about being a professional. At that particular point I had more than enough opportunities to keep the game in the balance. There's no need to put up a fight with that.''
"This is the NFL," Newton said. "Nothing is promised. Just because Cam Newton is on your roster doesn't mean you're going to win. Just because it's a feel-good story doesn't mean you're going to win."
PJ Walker filled in as Newton's replacement.