Panthers lose star for rest of season
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
McCaffrey had an MRI on Monday that revealed the injury was severe enough to put him on injured reserve. Because of his anticipated recovery time and given that it would be his second time on IR, the news means McCaffrey will miss out on Carolina’s final five regularseason games following its off week.
The 2017 first-round draft pick was injured in the first half of Carolina’s 33-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and played only sparingly in the second half.
It’s the second straight year McCaffrey has ended the season on injured reserve. He played in just three games last season.
Since becoming the NFL’s highest-paid running back with a four-year, $64 million contract after the 2019 season, McCaffrey will have missed 23 of 33 games in the last two seasons due to injuries.
The 2019 All-Pro had 421 yards on 68 carries and a touchdown the past four weeks. He finished the season with 442 yard and a touchdown, and 37 catches for 343 yards and a TD.
Browns’ Conklin to have surgery
Browns right tackle Jack Conklin will undergo surgery after suffering a season-ending right knee injury in Sunday’s loss at Baltimore, a crushing blow to a Cleveland offense struggling to score.
Conklin ruptured his patellar tendon while pass blocking in the first quarter against the Ravens, who held the Browns to a season-low 40 yards rushing. An MRI taken Monday confirmed the diagnosis of a tear.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he was “sick” over Conklin’s injury. Stefanski wouldn’t speculate whether Conklin would be back in time for training camp next year.
Steelers’ Watt on COVID list
The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed star outside linebacker T.J. Watt on the COVID-19 list.
The team made the announcement Monday, a day after the Steelers were embarrassed 41-10 on the road in Cincinnati.
Watt is the third highprofile member of the Steelers to go on the COVID-19 list in recent weeks. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick went into the COVID-19 protocol earlier this month.
Watt’s 12½ sacks rank second in the NFL, but he was limited to just two tackles against Cincinnati while dealing with hip and knee injuries suffered against the Lions.
Vikings’ Cook nursing shoulder
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook’s availability this week for the game at winless Detroit is in doubt because of an injury to his left shoulder, but coach Mike Zimmer stopped short of confirming a long-term absence.
Cook was hurt on a carry late in the third quarter Sunday at San Francisco and carted off in obvious pain. Zimmer said Cook did not sustain a torn labrum, an injury he had to the other shoulder two years ago, and did not rule out him playing against the Lions, calling the injury status “day to day.”