Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule expects quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to play Sunday, but running back Christian McCaffrey will likely miss his third straight game with a shoulder injury.
The Panthers (4-7) play the Minnesota Vikings (4-6) on Sunday in Minneapolis. Both Bridgewater and McCaffrey practiced Wednesday but wore red no-contact jerseys.
Bridgewater sustained a sprained MCL in his right knee in the fourth quarter of the Week 10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 15. In Bridgewater’s place, backup P.J. Walker led the Panthers to a 20-0 victory against the Detroit Lions last Sunday in his first NFL start.
Bridgewater, 28, has passed for 2,552 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
McCaffrey suffered an AC joint injury in his right shoulder in Carolina’s 33-31 loss at Kansas City on Nov. 8, his first game action since Week 2.
Signed to a four-year, $64 million contract extension in the offseason, McCaffrey has rushed for 225 yards and five touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 149 yards and one score in three game in 2020. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2.
In 2019, McCaffrey gained an NFL-high 2,392 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns from scrimmage, which tied for the league lead.
Mike Davis once again is expected to serve as the primary running back for the Panthers on Sunday.