McCaffrey (thigh) agreed Wednesday to restructure his contract to free up additional cap space for the Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The exact details of McCaffrey's restructured deal remain uncertain, but the star running back most likely converted a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus, a common tactic utilized by teams attempting to clear cap room. McCaffrey's current deal technically runs through 2025, though it includes a potential 'out' after 2022. Freeing up additional space for Carolina to pursue upgrades on offense during the offseason could end up improving McCaffrey's team context heading into 2021 after an injury-plagued 2020 campaign.

McCaffrey (thigh) said Monday that he doesn't expect to require offseason surgery, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey endured an injury-plagued 2020 season, ultimately only suiting up for three contests on the year due to a combination of thigh, shoulder and ankle issues. Avoiding any offseason procedures would seemingly bode well for McCaffrey's chances of making an unhindered recovery in time for Carolina's offseason program and the start of the 2021 season, at which time he'll no doubt be back in the conversation at the top of fantasy drafts. In his three 2020 appearances, McCaffrey accumulated 225 yards and five touchdowns on 59 carries (3.8 YPC). He also secured 17 of 19 targets for 148 yards and another score.

McCaffrey (thigh) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Saints, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, both McCaffrey and Mike Davis (ankle) are unavailable, leaving backfield reps available for some combination of Rodney Smith, Trenton Cannon, Alex Armah and even Curtis Samuel. McCaffrey will conclude an injury-marred campaign with 59 carries for 225 yards (3.8 YPC) and five touchdowns while hauling in 17 of 19 targets for 149 yards and another TD in three appearances.

McCaffrey (thigh) is considered "very doubtful" for Sunday's game against the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

For whatever reason, the Panthers are listing a bunch of players as doubtful rather than out. None of the group -- including running back Mike Davis (ankle) -- is expected to play, leaving Rodney Smith and Trenton Cannon atop the Carolina depth chart for Week 17. The team also can use wideout Curtis Samuel and fullback Alex Armah in the backfield, so Smith -- the likely starter -- won't automatically take over Davis' role. Davis ended up starting 12 games this season, as ankle, shoulder and thigh injuries limited McCaffrey to three appearances. The star running back nonetheless projects to be a top-three fantasy pick in 2021, just two years removed from an all-time season and entering his age-25 campaign. There's been no report of McCaffrey considering surgery for any of his 2020 injuries, and he should have plenty of time to recover before next season even if he does need some type of procedure.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said McCaffrey (thigh) won't play Week 17 against the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mike Davis (ankle) is also expected to miss the game, leaving Rodney Smith, Trenton Cannon and Curtis Samuel as Carolina's tailback options. McCaffrey finishes 2020 with 374 total yards and six touchdowns in three appearances, suiting up only for Weeks 1, 2 and 9. A high-ankle sprain held him out Weeks 3 through 8, and he then injured his shoulder in his first game back. There was talk of McCaffrey returning after a Week 13 bye, until he hurt his thigh/quadriceps while rehabbing. Meanwhile, Davis was unable to maintain his early momentum, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and 5.8 per catch over the last 10 games. McCaffrey should be a popular early fantasy pick again in 2021, returning to his three-down role in a Carolina offense that at least looked competent for the majority of Rhule's debut season.

McCaffrey (thigh) was wearing a red no-contact jersey at practice Wednesday, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mike Davis (ankle) was also a non-contact participant in the session, an early sign that both backs are in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Saints. If both players end up sitting out the season finale, Rodney Smith would likely headline the Carolina backfield.

Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that McCaffrey (thigh) is "probably a no" to suit up against the Saints in Week 17, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCaffrey appears set to close out the 2020 campaign with a seventh consecutive absence, setting his sights on returning to full health for 2021 rather than risk further injury in a meaningless regular-season finale. If the Pro Bowl running back officially is ruled out to face the Saints, Mike Davis once again will stand to handle a workhorse role.

McCaffrey (thigh) is inactive for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against Washington, Bill Voth of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, McCaffrey will log a sixth consecutive absence and still has just three active games on his 2020 ledger. The Pro Bowl running back will have one final opportunity to suit up this season Week 17 against the Saints, but given the Panthers' lack of postseason aspirations, it's fair to wonder whether it will be worthwhile to risk McCaffrey's health in a meaningless finale. Mike Davis will assume primary running back duties again for Carolina.

McCaffrey (thigh) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Washington, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The running back didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, and the Panthers aren't holding a session Friday. Head coach Matt Rhule already said he doesn't expect McCaffrey to play, leaving Mike Davis as the probable starter for a sixth consecutive game. While he could still try to make it back for Week 17, the lack of practice participation suggests McCaffrey's thigh injury isn't cooperating with his plans.

McCaffrey (thigh) missed practice Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

One day removed from calling McCaffrey "doubtful" to play Sunday at Washington, coach Matt Rhule again touched on the running back, telling David Newton of ESPN.com that McCaffrey "wants to play," but he's "just not quite there yet." With no practice to speak of yet this week and no clarity on if game action is possible before the end of the campaign, it stands to reason McCaffrey exits an injury-riddled fourth year as a pro with just three appearances under his belt.