McCaffrey (ankle), who won't play Sunday at New Orleans, may return for Thursday's game against the Falcons if he's 100 percent, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey picked up a high right ankle sprain Week 2, missing the Panthers' ensuing five games in the process. The team has yet to open his 21-day window to activate him from IR, and with a short week to prepare between games, his chances to prove his health on the practice field this week could be few and far between. As a result, if Carolina's staff holds McCaffrey out Thursday, he "seems likely" to make his long-awaited return Sunday, Nov. 8 in Kansas City.

McCaffrey (ankle) isn't expected to return for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pelissero's report comes a day removed from coach Matt Rhule telling Joe Person of The Athletic that he is unsure whether McCaffrey will be available "this week, next week or the week after." McCaffrey so far has missed four consecutive games due to a high right ankle sprain and seems poised to log a fifth DNP this weekend. Perhaps the Panthers hope McCaffrey is able to practice in the near future with an eye toward a Week 8 matchup with the Falcons on Thursday, Oct. 29. If he sits out the next two contests, though, his next chance to play would be Sunday, Nov. 8 in Kansas City. As long as McCaffrey is sidelined, Mike Davis will serve as Carolina's bell-cow back.

Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he's not sure whether McCaffrey (ankle) will return "this week, next week or the week after," Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey already has missed four games on IR while recovering from his high right ankle sprain, and Rhule is keeping the door open for him to return any time between Weeks 7 and 9. If McCaffrey isn't activated for Sunday's contest in New Orleans, it could be difficult to get him ready for a Thursday night affair Week 8, in which case his next chance to suit up would come Nov. 8 in Kansas City. With Mike Davis performing so well out of the backfield, the Panthers may feel secure in allowing McCaffrey ample time to get back to 100 percent health.

David Newton of ESPN.com suggests McCaffrey (ankle) may not return until Week 8 against the Falcons on Thursday, Oct. 29.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers opted not to activate McCaffrey from injured reserve this week, despite the running back reaching the three-week minimum. Because of his prognosis of 4-to-6 weeks to recover from his high right ankle sprain, he also could sit out Week 7 at New Orleans, especially with a game four days later. In any case, Carolina can open his 21-day window to return at any point moving forward, and the team likely wants to see how he holds up in practice before making a decision to add him back to the active roster. While McCaffrey continues his rehab, Mike Davis will handle backfield duties for the Panthers.

Coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that McCaffrey (ankle) "won't be activated as of right now," Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey has spent the requisite amount of time on injured reserve under the 2020 rules, but the Panthers aren't yet ready to let him get back on the field, which would open his 21-day window to be activated. With McCaffrey still tending to a high right ankle sprain and Mike Davis performing so well in his stead, the Panthers can stand to wait for the All-Pro running back to be as close to 100 percent as possible before he returns to action.

McCaffrey (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

A report earlier this week suggested McCaffrey would undergo tests to determine if he could return from injured reserve for the Panthers' Week 6 game against the Bears. While the team hasn't provided any formal update, McCaffrey's absence from practice hints at another week out of the lineup. Mike Davis has taken full advantage of a three-down role in McCaffrey's stead, piling up 351 total yards and three touchdowns over the past three games.

McCaffrey (ankle) will undergo tests this week to determine if he's healthy enough to be activated from IR for Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey has spent three weeks on IR, the minimum number required to return to the lineup. Coach Matt Rhule plans to have a better idea of McCaffrey's high ankle sprain by the time practice resumes Wednesday, and a return to practice in any capacity would signal that the superstar running back has a good chance to play Week 6. Mike Davis has been excellent in his place, recording 351 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns. He'll continue to start if McCaffrey can't go.

The Panthers placed McCaffrey (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction officially rules McCaffrey out for at least the team's next three games due to a high-ankle sprain, which he sustained in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers. Mike Davis is expected to fill in as the Panthers' top back for the time being, beginning with a Week 3 matchup with the Chargers.

McCaffrey suffered a right high-ankle sprain during Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers and will miss 4-to-6 weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the exact severity of his ankle injury, and the results confirm a brutal scenario for the Panthers. The team will be forced to proceed without the every-down, do-it-all backfield weapon for at least the next month, and high-ankle sprains are notorious for causing lingering issues even after players are able to return to the field. Mike Davis is the likeliest candidate to start against the Chargers in Week 3, while Curtis Samuel and Trenton Cannon are options to take backfield reps. The Panthers also will likely promote Reggie Bonnafon from the practice squad in the near future.

McCaffrey (ankle) is expected to sit out "multiple weeks" due to the injury he sustained during Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Buccaneers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey suffered the injury late during the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss, and he's slated to undergo an MRI on Monday to officially determine the nature of his ankle issue. If the every-down superstar is indeed forced to miss multiple weeks, Mike Davis will be the top candidate to replace him in Carolina's backfield. Curtis Samuel and Trenton Cannon could also see reps at running back, while the team may promote Reggie Bonnafon from the practice squad.