After suffering a hamstring injury vs. Texas, Christian McCaffrey goes to the locker room. (0:18).
HOUSTON -- Panthers runningback Christian McCaffrey was injured in Thursday's game against Texas. Carolina also lost Jaycee Horn, a first-round pick, to a fractured foot.
Coach Matt Rhule confirmed that the injuries were confirmed by the Panthers, who beat the Texans 24-9. This result brought the team to 3-0, only the fifth time in the history of the franchise.
Rhule stated that the team isn't aware of the extent of McCaffrey’s injury. Additional tests will be conducted on McCaffrey, the star running back.
In the second quarter, he was injured while running to the left on first and 10, from the Texans' line at 14 yards. After a 2-yard gain, he did what looked like a slow step to avoid the defender. He then went to the sideline.
McCaffrey spent 22 minutes in the sideline medical tent before he emerged and headed to the locker room. McCaffrey was able to walk on his own with only a slight limp.
McCaffrey was replaced with Chuba Hubbard (a 2021 fourth-round selection out of Oklahoma State). Hubbard finished with 52 yards and 11 carries. He also added three catches for 27 yard.
Christian McCaffrey injury Christian McCaffrey missed 13 matches with three injuries last season, after not missing any games in his previous three seasons. 2021 Hamstring Injury Games Not Missed 2020 Thigh 4 2020 Shoulder3 2020 Ankle 6
The Panthers lost Horn, their No. 8 pick, in the third quarter. After sustaining a non-contact injury in his right foot, Horn was also lost by the Panthers. Horn was taken to the locker area on a golf cart, but was later ruled out of the game.
It was not immediately clear how long he would be out of action.
Horn, the son and former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn was immediately inserted into the starting line-up. He played a major role in Carolina's rise to the top-ranked defense after just two games.
McCaffrey was the NFL's leading rusher and receiver with 324 yards. He entered the game in 2019 as the third player to surpass 1,000 yards in rushing and receiving.
Due to multiple injuries, he missed 13 games last year. He also suffered a high ankle strain in Week 2. He came back stronger than ever this season.
He left in the third quarter last week's victory against the New Orleans Saints to go get some IV bags for "onset cramps." He stated earlier this week that he was a good go-to.
