Panthers' Christian McCaffrey sees 4-6 weeks diagnosis as a 'challenge'

Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is accustomed to beating would-be tacklers on the field. 

Now, he'll try to defy a diagnosis that says he'll miss 4-6 weeks of the season due to a right ankle sprain he suffered during Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that dropped the Panthers to 0-2. 

"They say four to six weeks [to recover]," McCaffrey told reporters on Monday, per David Newton of ESPN. "Well, that's a challenge to me. Hopefully, I'll get back a lot earlier than this."

McCaffrey aggravated the ankle during the third quarter and had it taped before the final period of play. He scored on a seven-yard carry early in the fourth for his second touchdown of the outing but then never returned from the sideline. 

"It sucks, to be 100 percent transparent," McCaffrey said of his situation. "Anytime you get injured, it's a horrible thing. You play football to play football, not to sit out."

McCaffrey tallied 59 rushing yards, a pair of scores, and 29 receiving yards on four catches in the losing effort. 

Carolina travels to play the 1-1 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.