Panthers vs. Saints: 7 questions about their Week 12 matchup

While the team’s 2019 playoff hopes are effectively over, this is still a critical game for the franchise.

3. Will the Panthers keep Christian McCaffrey fresh?

Christian McCaffrey
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The absolute worst thing that can happen to the Panthers over these last six games is for Christian McCaffrey to get injured. Running backs are generally considered disposable by NFL teams, but McCaffrey is a unique case and at the moment is the single most irreplaceable piece on the roster. Ron Rivera has to be careful about managing his touches. If the game gets out of hand in the second half, Rivera can’t hesitate to yank McCaffrey off the field to keep him healthy for the long run. It’s time to see what fifth-round pick Jordan Scarlett can do, in any case.

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