Panthers' McCaffrey limited in practice with quad injury

It's unclear if the Carolina Panthers will have running back Christian McCaffrey in the lineup this weekend. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers All-Pro Christian McCaffrey limited in practice with quad injury

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 12/9/20

Christian McCaffrey just can't seem to stay healthy this season.

The Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back was limited in practice on Wednesday with quad tightness. According to Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule believes McCaffrey tweaked his quad last week while rehabbing from his shoulder injury.

RB Christian McCaffrey (thigh/shoulder) was limited today in #Panthers practice.

HC Matt Rhule says he might have tweaked his quad last week while rehabbing, and it was getting tight today. They are monitoring it for Sunday's game vs. #Broncos.
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) December 9, 2020

Rhule said earlier this week that he expected McCaffrey to return on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but the star's latest quad injury could delay his return to the field further.

McCaffrey has missed Carolina's last three games after suffering a shoulder injury during Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was his first game off injured reserve after sustaining a high-ankle sprain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Week 2 action.

The 24-year-old has appeared in just three games this season after signing a massive four-year, $64 million extension in April. He has been effective in those three contests, though, carrying the ball 59 times for 225 yards and five touchdowns while adding 149 yards and one touchdown receiving.

McCaffrey didn't miss a single game during his first three years in the NFL, including the 2019 campaign when he became the third player in league history to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.

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