KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Just in time for their toughest test of the season, Matt Rhule’s Carolina Panthers are expecting their best player back in action.
Running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to start for Carolina Sunday after missing the last seven weeks with a high ankle sprain.
“He's a unique back,” said Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens. “We all know what he can do... He's one of the better athletes in this league.”
The former Stanford standout suffered the injury during week two against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Christian is a great kid who's an outstanding athlete,” said Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. “ [He] can do special things when that ball is in his hands. The thing that makes him special is his work ethic."
McCaffrey took the league by storm in 2019, totaling 2,392 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns en route to a $64 million extension in the 2020 offseason, making him the league’s highest-paid running back.
Both McCaffrey and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes are members of the 2017 draft class.
Through eight games, the Chiefs run defense ranks 29th in rushing yards and attempts allowed.
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