Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian McCaffrey was included in his injury report Thursday ahead of week one, but now is not the time to panic, as he should be fine for Sunday’s opener.
Fantasy football managers everywhere were collectively upset when they saw the Carolina Panthers drop Christian McCaffrey being listed on the injury report on Thursday afternoon.
While the former Stanford star was arguably the best in the league in 2019, he’s played 10 games combined in the past two seasons. Carolina was pretty awful when McCaffrey couldn’t try it out in Charlotte for the past two years. He supposedly forced coach Matt Reyol into the hot seat heading into his third season leading the NFC South.
Although he was listed with a leg injury on ThursdayMcCaffrey was fully involved in the practice.
Rolle later explained that McCaffrey’s injured leg had only been cut off by a cleat during training.
He expects to be his star in a return to the first week versus the Cleveland Browns.
Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey’s shin injury won’t derail him in the first week
While this type of injury happens all the time, McCaffrey has earned his reputation as an injury-prone player for a reason. Although he was as good as advertised when he was knocked out by Stanford during his first three years in the league, McCaffrey has simply not been a reliable player in the past two seasons. With the Panthers centering on the C-Mac so aggressively, it’s no wonder they suffered.
The good news for the Panthers is that they play in the worst league in football. The Atlanta Falcons are rebuilding, New Orleans Saints no longer have Sean Payton in the building, and the Tampa Bay Pirates have had an incredible experience of chaos. Not to say the Panthers will win the NFC South title this season, but they could be a poor NFC playoff team if things go right for them.
In the end, the Panthers will always be a better team when McCaffrey is on the field. They have a fresh start quarterback quarterback at Baker Mayfield and an underrated receiving corps under the title DJ Moore. If the defense improves, there is a real possibility that Carolina will win ten games. Should that happen, Rhule will keep his job and the Panthers will have to really consider investing in Mayfield.
For now, let’s hope this is the only minor injury McCaffrey has had all season in Charlotte.
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