TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 20: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Christian McCaffrey might not play against the Broncos.
With playoffs looking unlikely, the Carolina Panthers need to take solace in the possibility of playing spoiler down the stretch, with a game against Vic Fangio and the Denver Broncos first up on the list. That goal might be increasingly hard to accomplish if superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is unable to suit up.
McCaffrey hasn’t been seen at all at Panthers practice today. This comes just one day after he was severely limited with a quad injury.
Christian McCaffrey’s 2020 has been laden with injuries
McCaffrey has played in just three games this season, but he has amassed 374 yards and six touchdowns in that span. McCaffrey spending most of the season either in street clothes or the blue medical tent has prevented Panthers fans from seeing how good Teddy Bridgewater can truly be in Joe Brady’s offense.
While Mike Davis has done an admirable job in his stead, it’s possible that Carolina might’ve won another game or two of No. 22 was fully healthy.
McCaffrey was rewarded handsomely this offseason after a 2019 season in which he set the record for receptions in a season by a running back with 116 while becoming the third player to record 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season.
Totaling almost 2,400 yards from scrimmage and scoring 19 touchdowns likely played into that deal. While his subpar performance is by no means his fault, these numbers are not what Carolina wanted to see.
Matt Rhule looks like a solid coach, Bridgewater proved he can be a starting quarterback in this league, and the Panthers have pulled off some nice wins that set them up nicely for 2021. However, McCaffrey’s injury problems sabotaged their 2020 season, and the front office has to be worried about them in 2021.