NFL: Panthers activate Christian McCaffrey, Sam Darnold for Patriots clash

Carolina Panthers received a massive boost as both running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Sam Darnold are active for the game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Darnold has been cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol but is dealing with a shoulder injury. According to a Panthers team spokesman, coach Matt Rhule is waiting until after the warmup to determine whether or not Darnold or his backup P.J. Walker will start, Associated Press reported.

“I think he looks good and signs are positive,” Rhule said of Darnold, who is 4-4 as a starter, on Friday. “We will see what he can do tomorrow. Anything is on the table and he could be (ready) for this game, which would be great.”

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Meanwhile, McCaffrey is expected to start, but will likely see a reduced number of reps after missing the past five weeks with a hamstring injury, according to Rhule. On Saturday, McCaffrey was activated off injured reserve. Without McCaffrey on the field, the Panthers (4-4) were 1-4.

McCaffrey had not practised in three weeks before this week, so Rhule doesn’t want to risk overusing his star player. He said he is happy with how McCaffrey’s backup, Chuba Hubbard, has performed.

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“He is just coming back and I don’t think it would be one of those 50- or 60- or 70-play games,” Rhule said of McCaffrey. “… Christian will play when he is ready and only play as many snaps as seems appropriate for where he is coming back. And hopefully if we do that we can build him back up to getting 40, 50 or 60 snaps when need be.”

The Patriots (4-4) will be without wide receiver N’Keal Harry.

With inputs from the Associated Press