Panthers place RB Christian McCaffrey on IR with hamstring injury

The Carolina Panthers placed Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve Saturday with a hamstring injury, guaranteeing he'll be out until at least November.

McCaffrey, 25, played in 50 consecutive games to begin his career with the Panthers, but missed 13 games in 2020 due to a high ankle sprain and a shoulder injury. After returning for the first three games of 2021, McCaffrey suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 and sat out the team's next two games. Now he's required to miss at least three weeks before he'll be eligible to be removed from Carolina's injured reserve.

In 2019, McCaffrey became the third player in NFL history to finish a season with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards, joining Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk. McCaffrey's 2,392 yards from scrimmage that year rank third most for a single season in NFL history.

McCaffrey signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension in April 2020 that keeps him under contract with the Panthers through the 2025 season. 

Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has taken over starting running back duties in McCaffrey's absence. Hubbard rushed for 101 yards and caught five passes for 33 yards in Carolina's 21-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5.

McCaffrey is eligible to return for the Panthers' Week 9 home game against the New England Patriots.