Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey out 'a few weeks' with strained hamstring, not going on IR

It was widely reported earlier in the day that Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey would miss time because of the strained hamstring he suffered in the Thursday night victory over the Houston Texans.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Adam Maya) and ESPN's David Newton updated that news with a timeline. 

McCaffrey is set to be sidelined "a few weeks" with the hamstring injury, but Rapoport added the Panthers are not yet planning on placing the 25-year-old on injured reserve. A player on IR must miss a minimum of three games per NFL rules for the 2021 season. 

McCaffrey, who was limited to three contests during the 2020 campaign because of multiple physical setbacks, hurt his hamstring in the second quarter of Thursday's outing and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the matchup even before he walked back to the locker room.

Rookie fourth-round draft pick Chuba Hubbard subsequently became Carolina's leading rusher and should serve as RB1 in McCaffrey's absence. Thus far, Hubbard has 62 rushing yards on 19 carries this season. Royce Freeman is currently beneath Hubbard on the depth chart, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Panthers are working out former Houston and Cleveland Browns ball-carrier Duke Johnson.

The 3-0 Panthers next play at the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) on Oct. 3.