CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Running back Christian McCaffrey has been listed as “doubtful” for the Carolina Panthers’ game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Matt Rhule said on Friday.
McCaffrey has practiced all week in a limited capacity, and has said he feels like he could play.
Whether he plays Sunday will be a game-time decision. McCaffrey was injured in the Sept. 23 win over Houston and missed the Panthers’ game last weekend against the Cowboys.
“If a guy is not going to be able to go out there and play full speed, no matter what (his) position it is, we’re going to hold him and trust the other guys,” Rhule said. “I think we have a good system.”
Rhule said McCaffrey would try to do some things on Saturday to see where he was health-wise. The Panthers host the Eagles at 1 p.m. Sunday in a game that will be televised on Fox.
Let’s break down the matchup:
When the Panthers pass ...
Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold threw two interceptions last week against the Cowboys. And while those turnovers were costly, he’s still had a good season passing the ball this year.
Darnold has five touchdowns and three interceptions through four games. He’s also averaging 297.3 passing yards per game and has completed 67.8% of his passes.
Meanwhile, the Eagles allow just 204 passing yards per game, which is top 10 in the league.
Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox has consistently been one of the top defensive tackles in the league. Defensive tackle Javon Graves is off to a fast start with five sacks.
The Panthers are dealing with injuries to their offensive line. Left tackle Cameron Erving (neck) won’t play. Rhule said Brady Christensen is set to play, but it is unclear which tackle spot he could play. On Wednesday, Rhule did not rule out the possibility that Taylor Moton could play left tackle.
Where the Eagles struggle is creating turnovers. They have allowed nine touchdowns and have only one interception. Opponents have 114 passer rating against the Eagles.
Advantage: Panthers
When the Panthers run ...
Who would have thought that after four games, the NFL’s leading rusher would be Darnold? Well, it’s true. Darnold has five rushing touchdowns this season.
And the Panthers are going up against the Eagles, who have the second-worst run defense in the NFL. They allow 150 yards rushing per game.
McCaffrey likely won’t play Sunday. In that case, the Panthers would use Chuba Hubbard, Rodney Smith and Royce Freeman in a rotation, similar to how they did in Week 4 against the Cowboys.
And they actually played well, rushing for 113 yards and Darnold’s two touchdowns.
But in the event that McCaffrey can go Sunday, it would be an added bonus. In the two full games he played, he rushed for 170 yards.
Advantage: Panthers
When the Eagles pass ...
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is playing good football. He has a 101.1 passer rating in five games.
He has seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. He threw for 387 yards in Philadelphia’s most recent game against Kansas City.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are coming off their worst performance against the Cowboys when they allowed four passing touchdowns. Despite struggling, the Panthers have the No. 2 passing defense in the league.
The Panthers haven’t forced a turnover in two games, and it will be a focal point Sunday.
Advantage: Panthers
When the Eagles run ...
Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow was honest Friday when asked why the Panthers struggled against the run in the Dallas game. The Panthers allowed 245 yards rushing.
“They came out in some big groups that they had not really shown (on film),” Snow said. “We didn’t prepare for that. A lot of it is on me. We didn’t rep some of the stuff they did. And physically, that offensive line and that tailback, they were ready for a fight and I’m not sure we were. ... Hats off to them.”
The Eagles can run the ball, too, but they do it in a different way. Hurts is a dual-threat quarterback. He averages 56 yards rushing per game. Running back Miles Sanders averages 42 rushing yards.
The Panthers still have a good rushing defense. Their previous three opponents didn’t gain more than 45 yards each.
Advantage: Panthers
Prediction
Carolina wins this game, 29-21.
The Panthers contain Jalen Hurts and stop the run, and Sam Darnold has a big game.
Injury report
Panthers: OT Cameron Erving (neck) OUT, LB Shaq Thompson (foot) OUT, RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) DOUBTFUL
Eagles: OT Lane Johnson (personal matter) OUT
