CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers on Friday officially ruled Christian McCaffrey out for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, but coach Matt Rhule remains hopeful the Pro Bowl running back will return for next week's game against Detroit.
Rhule said earlier in the week he didn't expect McCaffrey to play because of a right shoulder injury suffered late in last Sunday's 33-31 loss at Kansas City. That didn't change after McCaffrey didn't practice all week. McCaffrey sought a second opinion on what Rhule called an AC joint issue later in the week that gave a more promising outlook for missing only one game.