Stephania Bell gives the latest updates on Christian McCaffrey’s recovery from a hamstring strain. (0:43).
Why Stephania is cautious about McCaffrey’s recovery (0:43).
CHARLOTTE (N.C.) -- Christian McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers running back, says he has a "definitely" chance to play Sunday's match against Philadelphia Eagles.
McCaffrey was unable to play in Sunday's Dallas Cowboys game because of a hamstring injury he sustained the week before at Houston. Although he was initially told he would miss several weeks due to his injury, McCaffrey received extra time off from work after Thursday's game.
McCaffrey stated that he felt good on Thursday.
McCaffrey was on the injury report for the second consecutive day. The Panthers (3-1) eased McCaffrey back into practice to avoid any setbacks. On Wednesday, Coach Matt Rhule stated that McCaffrey's star would return at game time.
McCaffrey was optimistic about facing the NFL's 31st-ranked run defence.
He said, "You just kind of know how you feel."
McCaffrey acknowledged that he was frustrated at the injury, having missed 13 games in 2020 due to three injuries. McCaffrey said that Houston's short week prior to the injury "definitely" played a part in it. He suggested that allowing Houston a few more days to heal from the previous week could have prevented the injury.
He said, "It was extremely frustrating." I don't like Thursday night football games. A football game can be very stressful. Two days are enough to recuperate, with one day being a travel day.
You hop on a plane. You are in a hotel, and you go to a football match. It's very difficult. It's what it is. It's part and parcel of the game.
McCaffrey became the third player to rush for 1,000 yards and receive 1,000 yards in the same NFL season in 2019. McCaffrey entered Week 3 leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage, with 324. He had 364 at the time he injured his hamstring against the Texans in the second quarter.
McCaffrey stated that last year's injuries didn't make him more cautious, and that he will not be this year.
He said, "I play at full speed all of the time."
Joe Brady, offensive coordinator, said he was preparing Rodney Smith, Royce Freeman, and Chuba Hubbard for McCaffrey's absence.
Hubbard led Carolina's 13 carries of 57 yards against Dallas.
McCaffrey is someone Brady says, "We know that he makes us more," Brady stated. "We'll be seeing Sunday.
