A record-setting, money-printing rock star of a running back who dates models and owns a mansion the size of Delaware, Christian McCaffrey is no doubt living his best life. As for his fantasy owners? Not so much. That’s because McCaffrey, who was tentatively expected to return following the Panthers’ Week 13 bye, is looking like a no-go for Sunday’s matchup with Denver.
McCaffrey’s latest setback, a thigh injury suffered at Wednesday’s practice, is frustrating on a number of levels. For starters, the 24-year-old will likely miss a rare opportunity to face his hometown Broncos, the team his father, former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, spent most of his career with. Considering the Panthers may not play Denver (their opponent in Super Bowl 50) for another four years, C-Mac’s expected absence Sunday will be a tough pill to swallow for McCaffrey and his family.
But let’s not forget about all the fantasy football players relying on McCaffrey, who has suited up for just three of Carolina’s first 12 games (naturally, he’s scored a remarkable six touchdowns during that brief span) while battling shoulder and ankle injuries. For fantasy players who chose McCaffrey first overall in their drafts this summer, Thursday’s news that Carolina will again be without its best player (barring a medical miracle) was thoroughly demoralizing. All the McCaffrey owners who scraped by, doing just enough to reach the fantasy playoffs—which begin this week—are living their worst nightmare, and they want you to know their pain. Let us bask in the sadness.
Fantasy football has never been for the faint of heart. But this year has been especially cruel with players weathering weekly COVID postponements along with the usual, infuriating shenanigans of meddling coaches like Sean Payton (who insists on shoving Taysom Hill down our throats while Jameis Winston gathers dust on the Saints’ sideline) and Andy Reid (who didn’t feel the need to clue any of us in on Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s status Sunday night). In a year ripe with complications and annoyances, wouldn’t it be the most 2020 outcome of all if McCaffrey missed Week 14, only for him to go scorched earth after his fantasy owners have already been eliminated?
Enjoy another Sunday of journeyman Mike Davis on your television set. I know I won’t.
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