Rhule: McCaffrey’s injury not expected to be season ending
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%, 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 didn’t 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.
“I’m not anticipating that,” Rhule said. “I’m anticipating (it to be) more day to day and week to week than that. But those are doctors and they have to do what’s right and Christian has to do what is best for him. I have not entertained that thought” of McCaffrey missing the entire season.
McCaffrey injured the shoulder in the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 33-31 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
1 TUA APPROACHES INJURY 5 ANNIVERSARY GRATEFUL 5 TO BE WITH MIAMI >> Tua Ta5 govailoa says the game ball 5 7 he gave Miami Dolphins 2 coach Brian Flores last week 3 4 was a token of gratitude. 5 “For me it was like, ‘Thank you for taking a shot on me,’” Tagovailoa said. “A year ago, who would have known?”
Tagovailoa is fast approaching the Nov. 16 anniversary of the hip injury that ended his final Alabama season and threatened his football career. A year later, he’s 2-0 as a starter for the surprising Dolphins (5-3) heading into Sunday’s showdown against another heralded rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert, and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Flores and the Dolphins decided to draft Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in April even though doubts lingered regarding his recovery. The Dolphins waited until Week 8 to give him the starting job, in part to ensure he was fully healthy.
All signs suggest he is, including the way he juked standout Cardinals safety Budda Baker on a pivotal 17-yard run.
Flores said Tagovailoa appears to have regained all of his mobility, and might be even shiftier than he was at Alabama.
MAY FIELD CLEARED TO PLAY >> The Browns activated QB Baker Mayfield from the COVID-19 list, clearing him to practice and play this week against Houston.
Mayfield had to isolate for several days after he had close contact with a staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus. Cleveland placed Mayfield on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday when the team was on its bye week. He was not allowed to be at the facility Monday and participated in team meetings virtually.
CHARGERS’ BOSA RESUMES WORKOUTS >> Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa returned to individual workouts after missing last week’s game with a concussion, coach Anthony Lynn said. Bosa remains in the concussion protocol but is progressing toward a return this week when the Chargers visit the Dolphins. He missed the team’s 31-26 loss to Las Vegas last Sunday.
BRONCOS’ HARRIS TESTS POSITIVE >> Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss his second straight game Sunday, against the Raiders.