Though the Panthers are off to a 3-0 start to the season, there is major concern for Carolina.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey left Thursday night’s game against the Texans with a strained hamstring, and Carolina later lost first-round pick Jaycee Horn to a broken right foot.
McCaffrey left the field and went into the blue medical tent in the second quarter following a run in which he could be seen favoring his leg after no contact. It was subsequently announced on the broadcast that McCaffrey was out and the Panthers announced it shortly thereafter.
Standout running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a strained hamstring in Thursday night’s Panthers win over the Texans, Carolina head coach Matt Rhule said after the game. Rhule added he does not know the severity of the injury.
Rhule said the team doesn’t know the severity of McCaffrey’s injury. The star running back will undergo additional tests.
Quarterback Sam Darnold said he talked to McCaffrey after the game and described him as “sad.” Darnold also had a message for McCaffrey, believing he’ll be back this season.
McCaffrey’s 2020 season was cut to just three games due to shoulder and ankle injuries.
Heading into the second quarter on Monday, McCaffrey looked like his old self. That all changed on a nine-yard run off left tackle in which he ran out of bounds and then into the medical tent.
While the severity or return timetable is unknown for McCaffrey, Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold said he told CMC to take his time to make sure he’s fully healthy when he returns.
Left tackle Cam Erving said losing McCaffrey will hurt, but he believes the Panthers can sustain their early success.
“We’re a football team,” he said. “We’re not the Carolina Christian McCaffreys.”
McCaffrey was hurt making a run to the left on first-and-10 from the Texans’ 14-yard line in the second quarter. He appeared to stutter step to avoid the defender and went immediately to the sideline after a 2-yard gain.
McCaffrey stayed in the sideline medical tent for 22 minutes before emerging and heading to the locker room. He walked under his own power with a slight limp.
McCaffrey was replaced by Chuba Hubbard, a 2021 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State. Hubbard finished with 52 yards on 11 carries while adding three catches for 27 yards.
“We’ll be all right without him,” Darnold said. “Obviously, we want him back, but I want him to take his time right now and make sure he’s good for the end of the season.”
McCaffrey’s 2020 season was cut to just three games due to shoulder and ankle injuries.
Heading into the second quarter on Monday, McCaffrey looked like his old self. That all changed on a nine-yard run off left tackle in which he ran out of bounds and then into the medical tent.
Running backs Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman will now take on a bigger role in the backfield for Carolina.
The injury concluded McCaffrey’s evening with seven carries for 31 yards and two receptions for nine yards.
How much more production CMC can offer the Panthers this season is now the main question at hand.