Christian McCaffrey might not be out long after his latest injury.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that after a second opinion on the injured shoulder, the Carolina Panthers running back has a realistic chance to play in Week 11, per sources informed of the situation.
McCaffrey will miss this Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the shoulder injury suffered at the end of Week 9's loss to Kansas City.
After the initial fear suggested the injury could keep CMC out for another elongated period, Thursday's news of the second opinion is a bright spot.
Rapoport noted that the injury will be monitored closely, but there is hope it's just a one-week absence. The Panthers face the Detroit Lions in Week 11.
McCaffrey missed the previous six weeks with a high-ankle sprain before returning against K.C. It would be great news for the Panthers if this injury only costs the star RB one game.
Panthers defensive end Brian Burns (groin) and safety Jeremy Chinn (knee) were limited.
Here's other injuries and roster news we're tracking on Thursday:
- Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday night's game after exiting in the third quarter with a rib injury. Moore will undergo an MRI, coach Frank Reich said after the game.
- Following a review from the NFL and NFL Players Association, the San Francisco 49ers were found to have no violations of COVID-19 protocols and thus will not be penalized, per Rapoport. The team was investigated following wide receiver Kendrick Bourne's positive test last week. At practice on Thursday, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and cornerback K'Waun Williams (ankle) did not participate.
- Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said left tackle David Bakhtiari is "trending in the right direction" after missing the past three games with a chest injury, per ESPN.com. Bakhtiari was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but his availability for Sunday "comes down to his ability to go out there and function and protect himself and not get any worse," per LaFleur.
- The Miami Dolphins placed linebacker Kyle Van Noy, defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and practice squad wideout Matt Cole on the reserve/COVID-19 list and removed wideout/running back Lynn Lynn Bowden from the list, the team announced.
- The Las Vegas Raiders placed linebacker Cory Littleton on the reserve/COVID-19 list, per Rapoport.
- New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (ankle), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (toe/hip) and wide receiver Golden Tate (knee) were limited in practice Thursday. Tate went down late in practice and is being evaluated by the team's medical staff, NFL Network's Kim Jones reported. The treatment appears to be a precaution for a minor injury with tests still to come, Rapoport added. Freeman suffered what was described as a minor aggravation of his ankle injury, but his hope is still to play Sunday against the Eagles, Rapoport reported.
- Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (knee) was limited in practice.
- Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said he expects safety Budda Baker to play Sunday versus the Bills. Baker has not practiced this week because of a groin injury. Running back Kenyan Drake (ankle), tight end Maxx Williams (ankle) and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (thigh) were all limited in practice.
- Barring any setbacks in practice, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is expected to play Sunday against the Texans. Chubb has missed the past four games with a knee injury.
- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said running back Darrell Henderson and wideout Cooper Kupp will practice Thursday and are expected to play Sunday against the Seahawks.
- Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hip) didn't practice for the second consecutive day. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (toe) was also sidelined Thursday. Cornerback Jeff Okudah (ankle/groin) was upgraded from limited to full and offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot) was upgraded from DNP to limited.
- Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram did not practice after being limited yesterday. Defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback Jimmy Smith missed a second straight day of practice. Linebacker Matt Judon returned to practice after sitting out yesterday.
- Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (right thumb), receiver D.J. Chark (illness) and running back Devine Ozigbo (hamstring) did not practice.
- The New England Patriots signed linebacker Cassh Maluia to the practice squad and released quarterback Jake Dolegala.
- The Houston Texans announced they have activated backup quarterback Josh McCown off the Commissioner's Exempt List. The Texans signed McCown off the Eagles practice squad last week.
- The Chicago Bears officially placed defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris on injured reserve. Bears running back David Montgomery (concussion) and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) did not practice on Thursday, while wide receiver Allen Robinson (knee) was limited.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday a day after he was limited. Cornerback Carlton Davis (knee) did not practice and Shaquil Barrett (shoulder), wide receiver Chris Godwin (finger), guard Ali Marpet (concussion) and pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) remained limited.
- New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (right shoulder), WR Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring), C Erik McCoy (elbow) and OT Ryan Ramczyk (back) were limited in Thursday's practice.
- Minnesota Vikings WR Adam Thielen (shoulder) was a full participant in practice.
