CHARLOTTE – Running back Christian McCaffrey will not join the Panthers when they travel to Minnesota on Saturday and has been downgraded from questionable to out for this weekend's game with the Vikings.
On Friday, head coach Matt Rhule said he expected McCaffrey to be on the trip, but he was unlikely to play with a shoulder injury that's kept him out of the past two games.
"I'm pessimistic that he'll play," Rhule said after Friday's walkthrough. "But he's practiced well enough this week to earn the right to be listed as questionable."
This will be the ninth game McCaffrey will miss this year after playing each game his first three seasons. A high ankle sprain forced him out of six other games.
Mike Davis will continue to be the lead back with other carries potentially going to undrafted rookie Rodney Smith and wide receiver Curtis Samuel.
Cornerback Donte Jackson, who was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report, has also been downgraded to out as he will not travel to Minnesota.
Also on Saturday, the Panthers re-signed kicker Taylor Bertolet to the practice squad and placed wide receiver Ishmael Hyman on practice squad/injured. Defensive back Natrell Jamerson was elevated to the active roster as a COVID-19 exemption.
