The “Christian McCaffrey Watch” has started back up for the Carolina Panthers ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. And, as was the case last week, it starts off with a little cautious optimism.
McCaffrey, again, had been labeled as a limited participant for Wednesday’s practice. The fifth-year running back has missed the team’s last two games, both losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, due to a strained hamstring.
Carolina might also be getting back two more starters on the left side of their offensive line. Both left tackle Cameron Erving and left guard Pat Elflein were back on the practice field.
Elflein, who is now eligible to return, had been placed on the injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury of his own back in Week 2. Erving sat out the Week 5 loss to Philadelphia with a neck issue.
In a bit of bad (but not surprising) news, linebacker Shaq Thompson has already been ruled out for Week 6. Head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that Thompson, who is dealing with the plantar fascia injury, will miss his second straight outing.
Here is Wednesday’s injury report for the team:
| Injury | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. | Game status | |
| LB Shaq Thompson | Foot | DNP | |||
| T Cameron Erving | Neck | Full | |||
| RB Christian McCaffrey | Hamstring | Limited | |||
| CB C.J. Henderson | Shoulder | Limited | |||
| P Joseph Charlton | Back | Limited |
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