Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey was supposed to make his return to the backfield this weekend after missing multiple games with a shoulder injury.
However, McCaffrey's status is in doubt after he picked up a new injury.
Panthers beat writer Joe Person reported Wednesday McCaffrey aggravated a thigh injury he apparently tweaked last weak. Head coach Matt Rhule said CMC's thigh “tightened up,” per Person.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey was limited with a shoulder injury and a new injury — thigh, which he tweaked last week, according to Matt Rhule.
Matt Rhule said it tightened up today.— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 9, 2020
It is worth wondering whether the Panthers will simply shut McCaffrey down for the remainder of the season.
The former Stanford star began the year with four rushing touchdowns through his first two games. But McCaffrey suffered a high-ankle sprain in a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and would miss the next six games.
McCaffrey returned in dominant fashion in Week 9, burning the Kansas City Chiefs for over 150 total yards–including 10 catches for 82 yards–and a pair of scores in a narrow loss to the defending champions. However, the 24-year-old suffered the aforementioned shoulder knock, and was sidelined once again.
The Panthers were confident McCaffrey would be cleared to return following the team's bye in Week 13. But the injury issues seem to keep piling up.
Now, Carolina could be faced with a decision.
Rhule said earlier in the year the Panthers had no intention of shutting McCaffrey down for the year. But Carolina (4-8) would have to win out just to have a slim chance at earning a playoff spot, and it already faces COVID-19 issues ahead of its matchup with the Denver Broncos this weekend.
There is a real chance McCaffrey is kept out of the lineup for the remainder of the year as the Panthers look to protect their investment.
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