The Carolina Panthers offense is getting its most dangerous weapon back as running back Christian McCaffrey has been designated for return from the injured reserve list, the team announced Wednesday.
McCaffrey hasn't played since Week 3, when he injured a hamstring against the Houston Texans, but wasn't placed on injured reserve until Week 6. Rookie Chuba Hubbard has been the primary replacement for McCaffrey in his absence.
Under NFL rules, players placed on injured reserve after Sept. 1 must miss three games; having now sat out that requirement, McCaffrey could be activated for Sunday's home game against the New England Patriots.
As the Panthers' offense welcomes McCaffrey back, it's also faced with the uncertain status of quarterback Sam Darnold, who has been placed in concussion protocol after he was knocked out Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold officially was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
In two-plus games this season, McCaffrey has rushed for 201 yards on 52 carries. He's been beset by injuries since his All-Pro season of 2019, when he rushed for 1,387 yards and added a whopping 1,005 as a receiver. Since then, he's played in only six games -- three in 2020 and three this season.
In other roster news, Carolina designated offensive lineman Pat Elflein for return from injured reserve.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton (concussion) and safety Khari Willis (calf) were officially ruled out for Week 9. Guard Quenton Nelson (toe) is questionable.
- New York Jets receiver Corey Davis (hip) is doubtful for Week 9. Running back Tevin Coleman, defensive lineman Bryce Huff and offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif were ruled out; OL George Fant is questionable.
- San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the practice window has been opened for tight end George Kittle, running back Jeff Wilson and kicker Robbie Gould, who are all on injured reserve. Offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), defensive back Jimmie Ward (quad) and running back Elijah Mitchell (ribs) did not practice.
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and will not play versus the Chiefs in Week 9, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The team later placed Rodgers and cornerback Isaac Yiadom on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (back) was limited in practice. Defensive lineman Kingsley Keke (concussion) did not practice.
- Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (back/wrist) was limited in practice. Offensive lineman Mike Remmers (knee) was a DNP.
- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (calf) and receivers CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and Amari Cooper (hamstring) were limited in practice. Offensive tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) and tight end Blake Jarwin (hip) was a DNP.
- Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) and receiver Robert Woods (foot) did not practice Wednesday, but that shouldn't impact their status for Week 9, per coach Sean McVay. Outside linebacker Von Miller (ankle) was listed as a DNP in his first practice with the Rams.
- Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (ribs/left finger), receiver DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring) and linebacker Jerome Baker (knee) were limited in practice.
- New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and defensive back Xavier McKinney were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The Arizona Cardinals placed receiver A.J. Green and tight end Demetrius Harris on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Quarterback Kyler Murray (ankle) and receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) did not practice while running back Chase Edmonds (shoulder), linebacker Zaven Collins (shoulder) and offensive lineman Justin Pugh (calf) were limited.
- The Cleveland Browns designated fullback Andy Janovich for return from injured reserve. Janovich was placed on IR on Oct. 12 with a hamstring injury. Receiver Odell Beckham was listed as a DNP for practice due to a non-injury related personal matter (along with a previous shoulder injury), Rapoport reported.
- Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (right hand) was limited in practice. Running back Justin Jackson (quad), and cornerbacks Michael Davis (hamstring) and Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) did not practice.
- Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley (ribs), tight end Dawson Knox (hand) and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (calf) did not practice.
- Washington Football Team linebacker Montez Sweat has a non displaced jaw fracture that doesn't require surgery, Rapoport reported. He's expected to miss at least a month.
- Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) and cornerback Cameron Dantzler (ankle) did not practice.
- The New England Patriots listed the following players on the injury report: defensive tackle Christian Barmore (foot), linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley (ribs), Dont'a Hightower (ankle), Kyle Van Noy (groin) and Josh Uche (shoulder); defensive back Kyle Dugger (neck), kicker Nick Folk (knee), offensive lineman Shaq Mason (abdomen) and tight end Jonnu Smith (shoulder) were all limited. Cornerback J.C. Jackson (illness) was a DNP.
- Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, receiver Sammy Watkins (thigh), running back Latavius Murray and defensive tackle Brandon Williams (shoulder) did not practice.
- New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (knee) and defensive end Carl Granderson (shoulder) did not practice. Quarterback Taysom Hill (concussion) and offensive lineman Terron Armstead were limited. Receiver Michael Thomas will miss the remainder of the 2021 season due to a setback in his rehab from offseason ankle surgery.
- Denver Broncos offensive lineman Garett Bolles will not play in Week 9, per coach Vic Fangio. Bolles suffered an ankle injury against Washington. Fangio also confirmed cornerback Bryce Callahan, who injured his knee in the game, will go on injured reserve. The team also designated CBs Essang Bassey, Duke Dawson Jr. and Mike Ford for return from IR. Cornerback Ronald Darby (shoulder), defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, (hip) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (knee) were all limited in practice.
- Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (heel) did not practice, while RB Carlos Hyde (calf) was limited.
- Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackles Fletcher Cox (knee/rest) and Javon Hargrave (shoulder), and receivers Jalen Reagor (ankle) and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (ankle) did not practice. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (elbow) was limited.
- Atlanta Falcons receiver Russell Gage was limited in practice with a groin injury, while defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard sat out due to being in the league's concussion protocol.
- Houston Texans tight end Pharaoh Brown (thigh) and linebacker Christian Kirksey (thumb) did not practice. Running back Rex Burkhead (hip) was limited.
Roster moves
- The Houston Texans released veteran cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III. The 11th overall pick in 2016, Hargreaves has been with Houston since November 2019 when he was claimed after being cut by Tampa Bay. Hargreaves appeared in every game since Week 12 of that season; he accumulated two interceptions and 19 passes defensed in 30 appearances (23 starts).
- The Los Angeles Rams designated defensive back Darious Williams for return from injured reserve.
- The New York Giants signed receiver Pharoh Cooper to the practice squad.
- The Green Bay Packers signed defensive lineman Auzoyah Alufohai and running back Ryquell Armstead to the practice squad.
- The Las Vegas Raiders signed free agent linebacker Marquel Lee, and added quarterback Nathan Peterman and receiver Marcell Ateman to the practice squad.
- The Chicago Bears signed linebacker Cassius Marsh and waived LB Sam Kamara.
- The Dallas Cowboys cut defensive end Bradlee Anae.
- The Philadelphia Eagles waived offensive lineman Brett Toth.
- The Chicago Bears released practice squad running back Chris Thompson.
Fines
- New England Patriots linebacker Matt Judon successfully appealed his $10,300 fine for unnecessary roughness in Week 1 against the Dolphins and the full fine was rescinded, Pelissero reported. Judon was penalized after a scrum in Miami's bench area.
