Sidelined with illness Sunday

McCaffrey is not participating in Sunday's practice due to an illness, Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: McCaffrey doesn't appear to be dealing with anything serious that could keep him out of practice for an extended period of time, but the Panthers won't force the issue at this time of year. The second-year running back is expected to see an increase in touches this season after racking up 117 carries and 80 catches as a rookie in 2017, so Carolina's offense needs McCaffrey as healthy as possible for Week 1 and beyond.

Touch total expected to climb

McCaffrey would get between 25 to 30 touches per game in Panthers coach Ron Rivera's ideal scenario this season, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: McCaffrey averaged just over 12 touches, including five per game through the air, as a rookie last season, when veteran Jonathan Stewart led the team's rushing attack. Although pounder C.J. Anderson was signed following Stewart's release this offseason, it's McCaffrey who's seemingly slated to spearhead Carolina's backfield charge under new coordinator Norv Turner. Known for heavily utilizing his top tailback, and having worked with the similarly skilled Darren Sproles in the past, Turner…read more

Up to 208 pounds

McCaffrey reported to training camp Wednesday at 208 pounds, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: McCaffrey checked in at 202 pounds during last year's NFL Combine and played most of his rookie season around the same weight. While his gain isn't anything drastic, it does move him a bit closer to the typical range for NFL lead backs. Despite Carolina opting to replace Jonathan Stewart with a likely power-back upgrade in C.J. Anderson, head coach Ron Rivera said he wouldn't be surprised if McCaffrey reaches 200 carries this season. The No. 8 overall pick averaged just 3.7 yards on 117 totes…read more

Panthers coach Ron Rivera won't be surprised if McCaffrey reaches 200 carries this season, ESPN.com's David Newton reports.

Analysis: McCaffrey ranked third on the Panthers with 117 carries as a rookie, while his 113 targets tied Devin Funchess for the team lead. Carolina signed C.J. Anderson as a replacement for Jonathan Stewart (Giants) this offseason, and while CJA may actually be an upgrade, that doesn't mean he'll take on all of Stewart's 198 carries from last year. Rivera and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner seem to think their second-year back is ready for a larger rushing workload, with Rivera pointing to…read more

McCaffrey likely will have a new backfield partner in 2018, though he could see more touches as a result of Jonathan Stewart's recent release, Max Henson of the Panthers' official website reports. "I think you do need to have that in the NFL today," Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "It's tough to have one guy that just dominates a game. You have to have guys that have similar characteristics but also do something special that can separate them."

Analysis: McCaffrey had nearly as many targets (113) as carries (117) in his rookie season, with 59.9 percent of his 1,086 scrimmage yards and five of his seven touchdowns coming through the air. His mark of 3.7 yards per carry may not seem to beg for an expanded role in the rushing attack, but he at least was more effective than the recently released Stewart, who managed just 3.4 yards per tote. The Panthers likely want McCaffrey to take on a portion of Stewart's vacated carries, with the rest going to…read more

McCaffrey finished with six rushes for 16 yards and caught six of eight targets for 101 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-26 NFC wild-card loss to the Saints.

Analysis: McCaffrey was kept under wraps until he exploded for a 56-yard, catch-and-run touchdown during the fourth quarter. That play marked the longest gain of McCaffrey's rookie season, giving him a second career 100-yard receiving game in the process. Overall, McCaffrey's biggest impact this term came through the air, where he finished the regular season with an impressive 80 receptions on 113 targets for 651 yards and five scores. In comparison, he managed just 435 yards and two touchdowns on 117…read more

McCaffrey rushed six times for 14 yards and brought in five of eight targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Falcons.

Analysis: The first-round pick was theoretically poised for an expanded role with Jonathan Stewart (back) a surprise inactive, but the additional opportunities didn't really come to fruition. McCaffrey's 11 total touches matched his Week 16 tally, and they paled in comparison to the 18 he'd logged in Week 15 against the Packers. The rookie finishes his first regular-season campaign having posted a single-game high of 66 rushing yards and topping out at 101 yards through the air. The latter total came…read more

Looking at increased role Week 17

McCaffrey is in line to serve as the lead back for the Panthers, as fellow running back Jonathan Stewart is inactive for the game due to back tightness.

Analysis: McCaffrey is typically the lead back in Carolina, but has conceded anywhere from 20 to 30 snaps to Stewart in every game since the Week 11 bye. With a NFC South title on the line Sunday, McCaffrey will now presumably get to showcase his skill set as the feature back. Though Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker are waiting in the wings, McCaffrey is the most dynamic of the three, and should be given every opportunity to build upon his effort of 39 rushing yards in Week 16.

McCaffrey rushed nine times for 39 yards and caught two of four targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 22-19 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: McCaffrey and Carolina's offense as a whole struggled to get much going Sunday, but the rookie was once again handed more carries than starting tailback Jonathan Stewart. While that usage is reason for encouragement heading into next Sunday's finale versus the Falcons, so too is the fact that McCaffrey's season-high rushing output came against Atlanta in Week 9. In that game, he finished with 66 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and 28 receiving yards on five receptions.

Scores while topping 125 total yards

McCaffrey rushed 12 times for 63 yards and caught six of seven targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Packers.

Analysis: McCaffrey was a consistent thorn in the side of the Packers, as he not only approached his career-high rushing total, but also went for the second-most receiving yards of his rookie campaign. In doing so, McCaffrey hauled in a seven-yard touchdown on Carolina's opening drive, giving him five scores over his last six outings. While that has upped his fantasy impact, McCaffrey has also averaged an even five yards per carry during that stretch, making him more of a threat on the ground. Combined,…read more

McCaffrey rushed eight times for 35 yards and caught three of four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Vikings.

Analysis: McCaffrey entered Sunday's contest with good momentum, but a couple of factors combined to contribute toward his Week 14 dip. Not only was the rookie going against Minnesota's exceptional defense, but veteran Jonathan Stewart's 103-yard, three-touchdown performance meant he wasn't needed as much as usual. Fortunately for McCaffrey, a bounce-back outing could be in store, as an inferior Packers defense visits Carolina next Sunday.

McCaffrey took six carries for 16 yards and caught five of six targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: While unable to build on his rushing success from the previous three contests, McCaffrey was left wide open in the flats for a 21-yard touchdown en route to finishing second on the team in targets. There wasn't much volume to go around, as the Saints used their phenomenal running game to dominate possession. McCaffrey should have a better chance to pile up touches in Week 14, though efficiency is always a tough task against the Minnesota defense.

Active Sunday

McCaffrey (shoulder) is listed as active Sunday in New Orleans, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: McCaffrey began the week with an absence from practice, but limited sessions Thursday and Friday left head coach Ron Rivera feeling optimistic about the rookie's availability. With his status confirmed Sunday, McCaffrey will suit up against a Saints defense that has allowed 138.4 yards from scrimmage per game and six touchdowns to running backs in 11 outings this season.

Expected to suit up Sunday

McCaffrey (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Rapoport's report essentially supports what Panthers head coach Ron Rivera had suggested Friday following the team's final practice of the week. Though McCaffrey was limited to two practices this week due to the shoulder issue, it's not expected that he'll face a limited snap count in a key divisional matchup. In the two sides' previous meeting in Week 3, McCaffrey was limited to 16 yards on four carries, but had the best game of his young career as a receiver, hauling in nine of 11 targets for…read more

Tentatively on track to play

McCaffrey (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in New Orleans, with head coach Ron Rivera optimistic the running back will play, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: McCaffrey was held out of practice Wednesday but managed limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Speaking before Friday's practice, Rivera said the team may wait until Saturday before making a decision on McCaffrey's availability. The Panthers' head coach sounded a bit more optimistic after practice, perhaps suggesting that McCaffrey looked good during the session. Carolina beat reporters, including Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer, have been suggesting that McCaffrey is expected to…read more

Headed for questionable tag

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the team may wait until Saturday to make a decision on whether McCaffrey (shoulder) plays in Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: While the final injury report hasn't been released, Rivera's comments all but assure McCaffrey will be listed as questionable. The running back returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant, and he's back on the field Friday in some capacity. Another update will be available when the injury report is released.

Returns in limited fashion

McCaffrey (shoulder) turned in a limited practice Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: Present and in pads at the start of the session, McCaffrey appeared to go through all drills during the open portion, per Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer. That said, McCaffrey must have had some limitations in his first visible activity of the week. Afterward, he told Rodrigue that his shoulder "feels good" in advance of Sunday's game at New Orleans, so he's a decent bet to ditch his designation by week's end.

Spotted at practice

McCaffrey (shoulder) was donning shoulder pads for the start of Thursday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: After being listed as a non-participant for the Panthers' first session of the week with a shoulder issue, McCaffrey looks bound to take the field in some capacity Thursday. The Panthers will issue a formal update on McCaffrey's participation level once Thursday's session concludes, but no matter how he's listed, the expectation remains that the rookie running back will be ready to go for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Tending to injured shoulder

McCaffrey was unable to practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: The release of the Panthers' first Week 13 injury report revealed McCaffrey's ailment, which stems from Sunday's win versus the Jets. Head coach Ron Rivera told Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer that McCaffrey received "a hit" in the game and, speaking of his status, said, "We'll see tomorrow." While McCaffrey doesn't necessarily need to make an appearance at practice Thursday, he may need to show a degree of progress with the training staff.

McCaffrey ran for 62 yards on seven carries and added 35 yards on two catches in Sunday's 35-27 win over the Jets.

Analysis: The bulk of McCaffrey's work came late in the second quarter on a 40-yard run that set up a Panthers field goal. McCaffrey entered the game with three touchdowns in his previous two games and so fans might have, understandably, hoped for more. Still, it's hard to expect much from the rookie considering how relatively few touches he's garnered, with just two games of 15 or more this season. Few all-purpose backs can do what McCaffrey does in terms of piling up yardage on 10-12 touches per game,…read more

McCaffrey took increased snaps as a slot receiver in the Panthers' practices this week and could see more use in that role Sunday against the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Panthers are starved for depth at wideout following Curtis Samuel's season-ending ankle injury, so having McCaffrey -- who has already hauled in 57 passes for 433 yards and three scores in 10 games -- assume some reps in the slot could help fill the void to some degree. It's still expected that McCaffrey will see the majority of his snaps out of the backfield, but head coach Ron Rivera may make a concerted effort to keep both the rookie and Jonathan Stewart on the field together more…read more

Scores twice in Monday's win

McCaffrey rushed five times for 23 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 45-21 win over the Dolphins. He also caught three of seven targets for 27 yards and another score.

Analysis: McCaffrey was efficient with his touches on a night when top tailback Jonathan Stewart went for 110 yards on 17 carries. Not only did McCaffrey take a zone-read handoff four yards for Carolina's opening touchdown, but he piled on with a two-yard touchdown grab along the sideline during the third quarter. In doing so, the rookie has now scored five times over the past six games, sending him into the Panthers' bye week full of confidence.