The Green Bay Packers will likely avoid facing one of the game’s most talented and versatile running backs on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Tuesday that he isn’t expecting running back Christian McCaffrey to play against the Packers in Week 15.
“I’m not expecting him to play, as of right now,” Rhule said, via Darin Gantt of the team’s official site. “We’ll see how the next couple of days unfold, obviously. But today was a walk-through, so he was able to do some things, but I’m not expecting him to play as we sit here right now.”
McCaffrey has missed 10 games this season with various injuries. Right now, a thigh injury is limiting the Pro Bowl running back.
Rhule did say that if McCaffrey proves he can “really run” at some point this week, he might have a chance to play.
In two previous career games against the Packers, McCaffrey produced 277 total yards and two scores. In last year’s meeting at Lambeau Field, he had 108 rushing yards and six catches.
If McCaffrey can’t go, the Panthers would continue on with Mike Davis at running back. The veteran leads the team with 555 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns.
The Panthers lost all three games McCaffrey played in this season and are 4-9 overall.
Last season, McCaffrey produced 1,387 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 116 catches, 1,005 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Pro.
