Christian McCaffrey expected to miss Panthers vs Lions game; Bridgewater practiced
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is not expected to play in this weekend’s game against the Detroit Lions. It would be the eighth game he has missed this season and his second straight with a shoulder injury.
McCaffrey, 24, missed six games earlier this year with a high-ankle sprain. He is considered week-to-week and was absent from all of practice last week following the injury he suffered during the final drive of the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. McCaffrey was not at practice Wednesday.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said he had been hopeful Monday that McCaffrey could play in Sunday’s game, but that the doctors said he would not be ready in time.
“He and the doctor said he wouldn’t be ready probably,” Rhule said. “I would call it a setback in that I thought maybe he’d be ready and he’s not. I just think it’s part of the healing process.
“... I don’t know when it’ll be. I don’t know if it will be this week, I don’t know if it will be next week, I’m not sure. I just think it’s one of those things where no one knows their body better than Christian. And so whenever he feels like he can go and the doctors feel like he can go then we’ll then we’ll be ready.”
Backup running back Mike Davis, who has started all eight games in McCaffrey’s place, dislocated his finger in Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers, but was able to return to the game and fully practiced Wednesday. The Panthers (3-7) host the Lions (4-5) at 1 p.m. Sunday.
McCaffrey, a 2019 All-Pro, became the highest-paid running back in NFL history when he was signed to a four-year, $64 million extension in April. Prior to this season, he had not missed an NFL game during his first three years in the league. Rhule said that he does anticipate that he will see McCaffrey back this season.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was limited in practice Wednesday after exiting Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a right knee injury. He wore a red “injured” jersey and a helmet, while working to the side with a trainer during the portion of practice open to the media.
If Bridgewater cannot go Sunday, Rhule said Will Grier and P.J. Walker are competing in practice this week for the backup job.
“I think our coaches felt like it would be a good opportunity to see them both this week during practice. We feel like we can get two guys ready with the way that we practice,” Rhule said. “We’ve been just been splitting the reps, and if Teddy can go, I think this will give us real clarity as to who the number two should be, and if (Teddy) can’t go, then hey, it’s pretty clear who the starter is.”
Walker and Grier have each backed up Bridgewater in five games this season.
Bridgewater was injured on a third-down sack by Jason Pierre-Paul in the fourth quarter with 5:24 remaining. Guard John Miller (knee/ankle) was also injured on the play.
“We’ll monitor (Bridgewater) day-to-day and see if he’s able to go on Sunday,” Bridgewater said. “We’ll see how he responds to today’s work tomorrow.”
Other Panthers injury updates
Cornerback Donte Jackson (toe), Miller and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (rib) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Left tackle Russell Okung (calf) was limited, but Rhule said that he expects Okung and Jackson to miss Sunday’s game. This would be Okung’s sixth missed game due to injury this season, while Jackson has dealt with a lingering toe injury for the majority of the season.
“Let’s tell (rookie Troy Pride) he’s the starer. Let’s give him the whole week (to prepare). Let’s give Donte a chance to rest his foot for a couple days,” Rhule said of the decision. “If something changes and he can go, he feels great by Sunday, then great, if not, at least Troy goes in and he knows, hey, this is my chance to play.”
Rhule said that if Miller is not able to play, he expects Trent Scott to play left tackle and Daley to fill in at right guard.
Defensive ends Marquis Haynes (shoulder) and Yetur Gross-Matos (shoulder), tight end Chris Manhertz (shoulder) and safety Sam Franklin (ankle) were also limited in practice.
This story was originally published November 18, 2020 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Christian McCaffrey expected to miss Panthers vs Lions game; Bridgewater practiced."
