The Carolina Panthers are bracing for another game without their star running back Christian McCaffrey. The team’s head coach Matt Rhule told the media on Friday that McCaffrey won’t play in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings as he is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.
McCaffrey got hurt in Week 3 win over the Houston Texans and Carolina elected not to put him on injured reserve, believing he could be back for the Vikings game. However, after the 25-year-old was limited in practice throughout the week, the Panthers took a safe route and opted to keep him on the sidelines.
“It just hasn’t been there yet,” Rhule said when asked about McCaffrey’s return. “He’s doing everything he can. It’s been three weeks. We hope to have him out there next week.”
McCaffrey also dealt with injuries in 2020, managing to play only three games due to a shoulder injury. He returned in great shape for this season and had 201 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go with 16 catches for 163 receiving yards before going down.
With McCaffrey being out, Carolina rolled with rookie Chuba Hubbard as their primary back. The fourth-round pick performed well in the role, totaling 158 yards on the ground and 47 passing yards in his past two starts.
Panthers are currently riding a two-game losing streak that dropped them to a 3-2 record and second spot in NFC South.
