Carolina Panthers Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Bank of America Stadium
- Head Coach
- Matt Rhule
- Offensive Coordinator
- Ben McAdoo
- Defensive Coordinator
- Phil Snow
- Special Teams Coach
- Chris Tabor
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said that wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring) is "probably a game-time decision" in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals. Shenault is officially listed as questionable on the final injury report. The 23-year-old was limited in Friday's practice after missing Thursday's session, so he at least has a chance to play this weekend. Shenault was a healthy scratch the first two weeks of the season before catching both of his targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in his debut last week against the New Orleans Saints. He played just 18 percent of the snaps, though, so even if he's given the green light to play against Arizona, he'll be a desperation flex option in deeper fantasy leagues.
The Carolina Panthers are listing running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) as questionable to play in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals due to his quadriceps injury. McCaffrey's injury woes continue, although he will reportedly give it a shot on Sunday. The 26-year-old missed the first two practices of the week before returning to a limited session on Friday, which at least gives him a chance to play this weekend. However, the fact that the Panthers play in the later slate of games on Sunday will make him an even riskier proposition in case you leave him in your starting lineup and he's ruled out. If CMC isn't allowed to play, the Panthers will likely split the backfield duties between D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield will look to bounce back after a slow start to the season in a Week 4 home matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers' offense has struggled to move the ball and score, but there is a chance they get things going this week against a Cardinals defense that is surrendering the second-most points per game in the NFL with 29. Better yet for Mayfield's prospects, most of the damage against Arizona has been through the air as they rank bottom-10 against opposing fantasy quarterbacks and allow the third-most passing yards per game. Mayfield cannot be trusted as a starting option in single-quarterback leagues but could be a serviceable low-end QB2 this week in superflex or two-QB formats.
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) is participating in the start of Friday's practice. He did not practice the last two days due to a thigh injury but will practice in some fashion on Friday. The 26-year-old is trending in the right direction towards suiting up for Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals. He has rushed for 243 yards on 50 attempts and a touchdown while catching 10 passes for 57 yards over three games in 2022. CMC is expected to play and is a must-start against a Cardinals defense that ranks 30th in rush DVOA this season.
There is optimism that Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) plays in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals despite the fact that he has missed two practices this week with a thigh injury. McCaffrey has kept the injury close to the vest, but barring a setback, he should be OK for Sunday's game. The oft-injured 26-year-old has played in all three weeks so far this year, but this new thigh issue is concerning for fantasy managers. A return to practice on Friday would ease everyone's mind heading into the weekend, but there's a good chance he'll still be listed as questionable. If CMC is active, he'll be a must-start in fantasy. If he doesn't play, the Panthers will likely use some combination of D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard in the backfield.
