Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey's shoulder injury was initially seen as a minor setback, with the expectation he would play in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions after missing the team's Week 10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But McCaffrey's status is now in doubt.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports the Panthers running back is “unlikely” to play on Sunday, adding the team had been preparing for a multi-week absence.
McCaffrey had missed six games after suffering a high ankle sprain in the team's Week 2 loss to the Bucs, and the Panthers exhibited plenty of caution with respect to his availability.
The All-Pro returned with a vengeance in Week 9, however, totaling 151 yards from scrimmage and scoring a pair of touchdowns in a narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But the return proved to be star-crossed for McCaffrey. He picked up an injury to the AC joint in his shoulder and was almost immediately ruled out for Week 10. Now, it seems the Panthers are likely to hold CMC out against the Lions.
The Panthers had some success in the first half against the Bucs. Carolina was able to force an early turnover and turn it into points, and the Panthers trailed Tampa Bay by just three points at the half.
However, Tom Brady and the Bucs cruised in the second half. Tampa Bay scored 12 unanswered points in the third quarter and tacked on 17 more in the final period, cruising to a 46-23 victory.
More ominously for the Panthers, starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a knee injury and also may miss Week 11.
At 3-7, the Panthers are all but out of the playoff hunt, which could also speak to the team's decision to keep McCaffrey out.
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