Mccaffrey likely out against Bucs
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers coach Matt Rhule said that while he doesn’t anticipate running back Christian Mccaffrey playing on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a shoulder injury, he doesn’t expect him to miss the rest of the season.
Rhule said Mccaffrey has a separation of the AC joint, which is located at the tip of the shoulder where the shoulder blade and collarbone meet. The bones are connected by ligaments.
“It looks like Christian probably won’t play,” Rhule said. “I wouldn’t say that is 100 percent, but I would say it looks like he’s pretty much out for this week and we will see how it is next week.”
Mccaffrey did not practice Wednesday.
Mccaffrey is getting a second medical opinion on his shoulder, but Rhule doesn’t anticipate the 2019 All-pro, who has already missed six games with a high ankle sprain, will miss all of the final seven games.
Mccaffrey injured the shoulder in the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 33-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Mike Davis will start at running back if Mccaffrey is ultimately ruled out.
Report: 49ers did not defy protocol
The San Francisco 49ers have been cleared of any potential violations of the NFL’S COVID-19 protocols following a positive test from receiver Kendrick Bourne.
A person familiar with the investigation said the league and union reviewed the 49ers and determined the team was in compliance of coronavirus protocols. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league made no announcement.
The investigation started last week after Bourne tested positive for the coronavirus and was placed on the COVID-19 list. Teammates Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel were also forced to miss last Thursday night’s game against Green Bay because they were determined to be “high-risk” close contacts.
The four players were then activated Friday when Bourne passed two COVID-19 tests. Bourne then tested positive again and was placed back on the list Monday but could return this week.
Dallas’ Crawford put on COVID list
The Dallas Cowboys placed defensive end Tyrone Crawford on the COVID-19 reserve list.
The move came Wednesday, the same day of what was supposed to be the only live practice of the bye week for Dallas. The practice was canceled because Pittsburgh announced a positive COVID-19 test for tight end Vance Mcdonald on Monday, a day after he played 24 snaps against the Cowboys.
Crawford’s addition means Dallas has two players on the COVID-19 list. Quarterback Andy Dalton has been on it almost two weeks.
Dalton was supposed to start last weekend against Pittsburgh. Instead, Garrett Gilbert was the fourth starting quarterback in a span of five weeks for the Cowboys. Star Dak Prescott is out for the season with a broken ankle.
Odds and ends
The Browns activated quarterback Baker Mayfield from the COVID-19 list, clearing him to practice and play this week against the Texans. Mayfield had to isolate for several days after he had close contact with a staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus. The staffer has not been identified. …
Dolphins receiver Preston Williams went on injured reserve with a foot injury, meaning he’ll be sidelined for three games and perhaps longer. Williams, who was hurt in Sunday’s win at Arizona, has 18 catches for 288 yards and a team-high four touchdown receptions. …
The Bengals bolstered their defensive front by claiming defensive end Takk Mckinley off waivers from the Falcons. Mckinley, a fourth-year player out of UCLA, was a firstround draft pick of the Falcons in 2017. He has played in 49 games with 17½ sacks. …
The Jets claimed cornerback Corey Ballentine off waivers from the Giants.