CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers won’t change their offense just because star running back Christian McCaffrey will miss “multiple weeks” with a high ankle sprain, coach Matt Rhule said on Monday.
“Mike Davis is a starting tailback in the National Football League,” Rhule said of the 27-year-old that will replace McCaffrey. “He got out there [Sunday] and made some great catches. Was physical. He was ready when his number was called. He’ll play well in Christian’s absence.”
McCaffrey didn’t return to Sunday’s 31-17 loss at Tampa Bay after limping to the sideline following a 7-yard, fourth-down touchdown run with 13:30 remaining that cut the deficit to 21-14.
Rhule said the injury actually occurred two plays earlier when McCaffrey gained two yards around the right side on a trap play. He said the injury was unrelated to McCaffrey taking himself out in the first quarter.
“I hate it for him,” Rhule said. “No one wants to be out there and play more than Christian does. He had this for a reason. I’m sure he’s rehabbing right now. I talked to him earlier today and I’m sure he’ll get back as quickly as he can.”
The Panthers made McCaffrey the NFL’s highest-paid running back during the offseason with a four-year, $64 million extension that averages $16 million a year.
Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady said during the preseason the offense was being built around McCaffrey, who last year became the third player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
But Rhule, whose team is 0-2, declined to make more of losing the Pro Bowl back than he would any other player.
“I care about our players beyond just football, beyond just winning,” Rhule said. “So when a guy gets hurt, whether he’s a really talented player or a guy that’s just hanging on as the 53rd guy, I hate to see it
“Christian is a special player. But even more so he’s a special person. I know how badly he wants to be out there for his team. After the game, he was upset he wasn’t out there to help us at the very end.”
Replacing McCaffrey won’t be easy. He’s scored four of the team’s five touchdowns this season and has 156 of the team’s 216 rushing yards. He’s led the Panthers in receptions the past two seasons with 223 catches.
Davis, a fourth-round pick by San Francisco out of South Carolina in 2015, has one rush for one yard in limited time playing time. His strength on Sunday came as a receiver. He had eight catches for 74 yards.
But Davis has starting experience, making six of his career 10 starts in 2017 for Seattle.
The Panthers also are looking at bringing Reggie Bonnafon up from the practice squad.
“We’ll keep doing what we’re doing,” Rhule said. “Mike can run the football. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. When he went in there [Sunday] we didn’t change what we did. He made the most out of his opportunities. I’m sure he will do the same thing [this week].”
