One day after a report emerged that Christian McCaffrey might be in the lineup in Week 10, the Carolina Panthers ruled the All-Pro running back out for Sunday’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Friday that he’s hopeful that McCaffrey, who suffered a shoulder injury late in Sunday’s 33-31 loss at Kansas City, will be healthy enough to play in Week 11 against Detroit after a week off.
Earlier in the week Rhule characterized the injury as an “AC joint issue.” McCaffrey was making his return to the field after missing Carolina’s previous six weeks because of a high-ankle sprain. The Panthers went 3-3 in his initial absence, winning the first three games before losing the next three.
Against Kansas City, the Panthers went to their bellcow back often as McCaffrey, a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection last season, posted 28 touches (tied for sixth-most in his career) out of the team’s 76 offensive snaps. McCaffrey carried 18 times for 69 yards and a touchdown while also catching 10 passes for 82 yards and another score.
McCaffrey, 24, has rushed for 225 yards and five touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 149 yards and one score in three games this season.
In 2019, he gained an NFL-high 2,392 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns from scrimmage, which tied for the league lead.
Rhule also informed media members that running back Reggie Bonnafon (ankle), tackle Russell Okung (calf) and Stephen Weatherly (finger) would also miss the Buccaneers game.
The Panthers later officially listed five players as questionable for Sunday: full Friday participants safety Jeremy Chinn (knee) and cornerback Donte Jackson (toe) along with defensive ends Yetus Gross-Matos (ankle) and Marquis Haynes (shoulder). Defensive end Austin Larkin (groin) was also added to the injury list as a limited practice performer after practicing throughout the week.
The Buccaneers declared three players as questionable. Guard Ali Marpet (concussion) and cornerback Carlton Davis (knee) practiced on a limited basis Friday, while wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (not injury related) did not work out.
