The Detroit Lions are facing off against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 and the Panthers could be without their top two offensive weapons as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is considered day-to-day with a knee injury and running back Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to play with a shoulder issue.
Bridgewater suffered an MCL injury on Sunday but after an MRI last night, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that there is “no structural damage. Some soreness. Some swelling. Status uncertain for this week but positive vibe for (the) Panthers QB”.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called Bridgewater’s injury “day-to-day” and echoed Mortenson’s report that his availability for this Sunday’s game is uncertain at this time.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule addressed the media this afternoon, saying that he was “hopeful” that Bridgewater would be able to practice this week, but that they wouldn’t know more until Wednesday. It’s worth noting that the Athletic’s Joe Person is reporting that Bridgewater was not made available to the media on either Sunday or Monday, something he does regularly. Missing these normal sessions is typically a sign the injury is serious.
If Bridgewater is unable to play, Panthers Wire’s Tim Weaver notes that “the Panthers will look to either Will Grier or P.J. Walker to replace him as the starting quarterback. Both have been competing for the QB2 job since summer and neither has really taken the reins. Grier and Walker have switched places as game-day inactives several times already this season.”
Weaver would go on to call Bridgewater “the most irreplaceable piece on this Carolina roster” and that if he “is not in the lineup it’s hard to see this team beating anybody right now”.
While Bridgewater is the Panthers’ most irreplaceable player on the roster, McCaffrey is by far the most talented.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that “McCaffrey is unlikely to play Sunday against the Lions due to his shoulder injury and the team still is preparing got a multi-week absence, per source.”
Rhule disputed Schefter’s report a bit at his press conference and said there was “nothing different” about McCaffrey’s injury status and he remained hopeful he could play on Sunday.
Schefter rarely misses on his reports and Rhule’s answer sounds a bit like coach-speak, so the outlook for McCaffrey at this time looks bleak. If he is unable to play, the Panthers would turn to Mike Davis, and to make matters worse, Davis is dealing with a thumb injury that caused him to miss time yesterday. Behind Davis on the depth chart are Trenton Cannon and Rodney Smith.
Stay tuned to Lions Wire for more updates throughout the week as these reports are updated.