CHARLOTTE — Running back Christian McCaffrey is set to continue practicing this week as the Panthers get ready to visit the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
"I think he looks good. It just comes to the doctors and trainers and all those things," head coach Matt Rhule said Monday. "I'm real hopeful we'll have him."
McCaffrey has been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain in a Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. The Panthers designated him to return from the reserve/injured list last Tuesday, beginning his 21-day practice window. McCaffrey didn't do much during the media portion of practice on Tuesday, and there was no open period on Wednesday.
Running back Mike Davis has performed admirably in McCaffrey's absence, recording 519 yards from scrimmage with four touchdowns over the last six games. But the Panthers have missed the 2019 first-team All-Pro at two positions, who last year became only the third player in league history to record 1,000 yards receiving and rushing.
"Christian just brings elite production. Days where you're not great on third down, he's a tremendous third-down matchup. Explosive runs, catching the ball out of the backfield — he's one of the best players in the National Football League," Rhule said. "I think Christian will bring an energy, a level of production that will make our team better."
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater doesn't anticipate the offense changing that much when McCaffrey returns. Both backs can run between the tackles and go out for routes. Davis is second on the team with 38 receptions, behind only wide receiver Robby Anderson's 51.
"Honestly, everything that Mike has done, that's what Christian brings to the table as well," Bridgewater said. "Obviously, Christian coming off the year that he had last year, he's a guy that's exceptional. But at the same time, you never want to take away what Mike did for us. For him to step in and do the things that he's done, he's been a true pro. He's been working extremely hard.
"But Christian is a guy you get back, and everyone saw what he did last year, what he did the first two games this year. So we're just excited to be getting healthy at this point in the year."
There is a possibility the Panthers could use McCaffrey and Davis on the field at the same time, giving defenses more things to think about at the line of scrimmage. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel could be a factor in that, too, as the Panthers have occasionally used him in the backfield this season.
"Whether we do that or not remains to be seen. But that's been one of the benefits of having Curtis out there," Rhule said. "Even a couple of the times we've handed the ball to Curtis, at least one of them where we handed the ball to Curtis this last week, Mike was on the field out at receiver. We all know Christian's ability to line up and play receiver. So I think the door's open to be creative with those guys."
In two games this year, McCaffrey has 223 yards from scrimmage and four rushing touchdowns. With a challenging matchup against one of the league's best scoring teams coming up on Sunday, the Panthers could certainly use another their most versatile weapon.
"Christian's a special player. We've seen it year in and year out," center Matt Paradis said. "It'll be good to have him back."
Carolina is 2-4 all-time in six meetings with Kansas City through the years.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a touchdown catch in front of Side Judge Ron Torbert (62) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rickey Proehl (81) gets past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber to gain 18 yards during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers won the game, 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, MARCH 9-10 - FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2012, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Thomas (22) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The new group in charge of the Chiefs is going right to work, making bold moves to turn around a franchise that went 2-14 last season. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Carolina Panthers free safety Haruki Nakamura (43) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs runningback Jamaal Charles (25) gets tripped up as Carolina Panthers Sione Fua (94) Luke Kuechly (59) and Greg Hardy (76) defend during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 27-21. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
El safety de los Panthers de Carolina Haruki Nakamura (43) salta sobre una pila de jugadores ante los Chiefs de Kansas City en el partido de la NFL el domingo 2 de diciembre de 2012. (AP Foto/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton gets past Kansas City Chiefs defenders during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Willams (34) and Steve Smith (89) celebrate a touchdown in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs past Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in a trap in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart runs for yardage in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) reaches the ball across the goal line while tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jalil Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs' Pat Thomas chases Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis (40) is knocked out of bounds short of the goal line by Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers celebrates in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams after scoring a touchdown in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez (88) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason, right, after a catch in the second quarter in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Kansas City Chief's quarterback Elvis Grbac (11) goes to pass as Carolina Panthers' Lamar Lathon (57) closes in during the second quarter of the Chiefs' 35-14 win NFL at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Sept. 21, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) and Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrate William's second touchdown during their 34-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) drags Kansas City Chiefs' Brandon Carr (39) while crossing the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Panthers' 34-0 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Kansas City Chiefs' DaJuan Morgan (38) pursues. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is trailed by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Dexter McCleon (22) as he runs the ball for 71 yards in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. Foster followed the play with a three yard run for a touchdown. The Panthers won the game 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Kawika Mitchell (50) walks off following the touchdown. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) congragulates wide receiver Keary Colbert after Delhomme threw Colbert a 9 yard pass for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers won the game 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber (59) after gaining 16 yards in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. Foster ran for 174 yards leading the Panthers to a 28-17 win over Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
