Time for the Panthers to admit defeat with Christian McCaffrey
By Dean Jones
Christian McCaffrey’s rocky road in 2020
Big things were expected of Christian McCaffrey this season. The Stanford product was coming off a 2019 campaign that saw him become only the third running back in NFL history to go over 1,000-yards rushing and receiving in the same year and he looked primed for another big contribution to an offense that has exciting playmakers everywhere you look.
Sadly, this just wasn’t to be.
McCaffrey went down in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been seen in just one game since. An ankle injury was swiftly followed by a shoulder problem late at the Kansas City Chiefs upon the player’s return and now a troublesome quad threatens to keep him out of action for the remainder of the campaign.
When McCaffrey was on the field, his talent was there for all to see.
He accumulated 374 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns from just 76 combined touches, which represents yet more exceptional production from a player who seemingly had the world at his feet heading into 2020.
The Carolina Panthers have gotten some eye-catching production from primary backup Mike Davis in McCaffrey’s absence. But they’ve really missed the new face of the franchise at key moments in close games.
Yes, it would be nice to have one of the best in the business on the field whenever he is ready. But this constant uncertainty isn’t exactly helping a roster that is on a downward spiral.