Christian McCaffrey Update

[Jeremy Igo]

From Panthers.com 

CHARLOTTE — Running back Christian McCaffrey is scheduled to undergo a series of tests this week, some as soon as Monday, to evaluate his recovery from a high ankle sprain.

McCaffrey is eligible to come off the reserve/injured list this week. However, head coach Matt Rhule did not want to speculate on the chances of that happening during his Monday afternoon virtual press conference.

"Once the doctors say he's clear and he feels like he's clear, then we'll activate him," Rhule said. "But I'm not sure exactly when that'll be."

It's been only three weeks since McCaffrey suffered the injury. He told reporters on Sept. 21 that doctors initially diagnosed him with a four-to-six-week recovery timeline, though he wanted to return sooner. McCaffrey suffered the injury during the second half of the loss to Tampa Bay. He was still able to run in a 7-yard touchdown before exiting the contest.

McCaffrey doesn't have to come off of IR now just because it's been three weeks. When he is designated to return, he'll have a 21-day practice window before he must be placed on the 53-man roster or will revert to IR for the rest of the season.

Though he played in just the first two games of the season, McCaffrey continues to lead the Panthers with four touchdowns this season. The 2019 first-team All-Pro totaled 223 yards from scrimmage on 48 touches in the first two games.

[mrcompletely11]

Sit him until he is 100%

[mav1234]

No need to rush him back, but CMC is the kind of guy that will hit the field as soon as he is medically able to.

[Moo Daeng]

Sit him one more week at least before bringing him back to practice. Then don't rush him back to the active roster. Use as much of that 21 days as you need to. And don't bring him back to practice until you know he will be ready to go within that 21 days. No hurry at all here.

[WarHeel]

If they’re smart they’ll give him at least one more week.

[t96]

Could make sense to activate him if he's close as an emergency but still roll with Davis until he's 100%...

[BrianS]

It would make sense, if he's close, to pull him off IR just to make the Bears prep for him even if there is no chance he'll play.

[TheCasillas]

Id act like he is ready to go all week, get the bears to game plan for CMC - and then game day - deactivate him 

[Anybodyhome]

I'd let the doctors, coaches and CMC come to a decision as to when he'll come back.

But thanks for everyone's input.

[top dawg]

10 minutes ago, Anybodyhome said:

I'd let the doctors, coaches and CMC come to a decision as to when he'll come back.

But thanks for everyone's input.

/end sarcasm?    LOL

[Eazy-E]

We are playing a 4-1 team on a short week. A fresh CMC is a game changer. If doctors clear him and he feels good he should play. With the emergence of Mike Davis he doesn’t have to play 97% of the snaps.

[Vagrant]

i agree. i don't think there's any chance you can get him to agree to hold out if he passes whatever protocols he has to pass to get back out there. some people say high ankle sprains are worse in terms of recovery than clean breaks in terms of being nagging issues, but the fact that we're toying with the idea of being in playoff contention makes this a lot more enticing for CMC. he wants to play some playoff football and a win over the bears would put us firmly in control of our direction this season. as others have mentioned, it's not exactly like we have to give him 30 touches if he comes back. 20 for Davis, 15 for CMC, and the rest to Samuel in the backfield. Even having him available as a decoy would change our offense in a positive way. 

[LinvilleGorge]

With the way Davis is playing, it'd be crazy to rush him back. Davis isn't CMC but he's a damn fine fill in and we're financially married to CMC for years. You don't want to be financially married to damaged goods in large part because dumb medical decisions were made. I don't care to see a replay of Cam's final seasons here.

[Icege]

Rhule has preached a focus on recovery which leads me to hope that the team will err on the side of caution. With Davis running well and the offense clicking, let CMC take another 1 - 3 weeks to be as close to 100% as possible. The Panthers have an upcoming Chicago team that we're hoping to prove are not who their record says they are, a Falcons team in turmoil, and a New Orleans team with a fading Drew Brees. The stretch of games that follows though?: KC, the 2nd TB game, GB, and another crack at NO (plus whatever MIN team shows up) with DEN, DET, and WAS sprinkled in as potential trap games.