NFL Rumors: Panthers Star Running Back Expected to Play in Week 4

Despite a concerning week filled with missed practices, the Carolina Panthers expect their star running back to be ready for their Week 4 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports running back Christina McCaffrey should be available this Sunday despite his thigh injury:

While #Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey was a DNP again with a thigh issue, my understanding is there is still optimism that he plays. He’s kept it close to the vest, but barring a setback he should be OK.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2022

McCaffrey missed two straight practices this week following a thigh injury sustained in the Panthers' Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints. Seeing as the running back has been inactive 23 of a possible 36 games since 2020 with a variety of injuries, fans were rightly concerned that McCaffrey would yet again be unavailable. For now, the team appears optimistic his current ailment won't interfere with his game readiness.

One of the league's premier two-way backs, McCaffrey burst onto the scene after being drafted eighth overall by the Panthers in 2017, totalling 5443 yards from scrimmage and 39 touchdowns across his first three seasons. The running back had appeared to be hitting his stride again the past couple of weeks, rushing for over 100 yards in consecutive games for the first time since 2019, a season in which he compiled a league-leading 2392 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. Should McCaffrey truly be ready to go in Week 4, he'll have a chance at another strong game against the Cardinals: the Arizona defense ranks 31st in points allowed.