McCaffrey likely out vs. Bucs, reportedly could return in Week 11

The Carolina Panthers do not expect Christian McCaffrey to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a shoulder injury.

"Looks like Christian probably won't play," head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday. "I wouldn't say it's 100 percent, but it looks like he's pretty much out for this week and we'll see how it is next week."

Rhule doesn't anticipate a season-ending injury for McCaffrey, characterizing the player's status as "more like day-to-day, week-to-week," according to The Athletic's Joe Person.

McCaffrey "has a realistic chance" to return next week against the Detroit Lions after receiving a second opinion on the ailment, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The star running back injured his shoulder during the Panthers' Week 9 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This appears to be the play Christian McCaffrey was injured. Looks like his right shoulder/collarbone area. He came back in for one play, then left again on the final drive. pic.twitter.com/z7W4p0SUnL

- Joe Person (@josephperson) November 8, 2020

The 24-year-old McCaffrey missed six games earlier this year due to an ankle injury.

The Panthers are expected to again turn to Mike Davis to handle backfield duties with McCaffrey out. Davis played well in a starting role earlier this season, rushing for 353 yards while adding another 278 receiving yards.

A former top-10 pick, McCaffrey led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,392) and total touchdowns (19) last year. He's averaging just 3.8 yards per carry this season.

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