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Christian McCaffrey to avoid injured reserve after suffering hamstring injury

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters on Monday that running back Christian McCaffrey will not be placed on injured reserve with the hamstring strain he suffered in Thursday's win over the Houston Texans.

McCaffrey left in the second quarter of Thursday's game after sustaining the non-contact injury on a run. He underwent medical evaluation on the sideline and was quickly diagnosed with a hamstring injury.

Monday's news gives hope to Panthers fans and fantasy managers that McCaffrey's injury won't sideline him long term. Placement on injured reserve requires that a player misses at least three weeks. Rhule didn't speculate on a recovery timeline.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 12: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the game against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the game against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)

McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,392 yards from scrimmage in 2019, the last time he played a full season. He missed all but three games in 2020 with various injuries. He was leading the NFL with 324 yards from scrimmage through two weeks prior to his injury. He's obviously critical to Carolina's offense as the Panthers look to build on a 3-0 start.

Rhule said that he does expect the Panthers to place rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn on injured reserve after the first-round pick suffered a broken foot on Thursday. Horn is scheduled to have surgery and could miss the rest of the season. The Panthers traded for Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback CJ Henderson on Monday in the wake of Horn's injury.