During the 2018 season, as Cam Newton struggled with shoulder issues which prevented him from effectively cashing in on the various weapons the team had on its roster, another concern began to grow.
Many voices echoed. From the press box to the couch potato coaches around the Carolinas the concern for Christian McCaffrey's shelf life began to grown as they season dragged on and the losses piled up.
This season, those same concerns are still floating around as everyone waits to see how Cam Newton's health will hold up. And so far, the chatter has remained at a low rumble due to a greater mixture of other offensive weapons into plays being run during training camp. Panthers' offensive coordinator admitted he's tracking McCaffrey's performance, primarily the number of touches, but he's a long ways from a massive reduction. "It's one of the more misunderstood things," Said Turner. "We need to get someone else on the field but we're not going to minimize his carries or touches."
2018 SNAPSHOT: #22 | RB | Christian McCaffrey
TOTAL YDS: 1,098 6th
1DN: 53 T8th
YDS/A: 5.0 9th
ATT: 219 10th
YPG: 69.5 13th
Last season, McCaffrey ranked sixth in the league with 1,098 yards rushing on 219 attempts (10th in NFL) and averaged 69.9 yards per game - something Turner will not be eliminating for the simple fact that he makes other things possible. "He's one of the most dynamic players in the league and he makes it easier for our line, he makes it easier for the quarterback, he makes it easier for our receivers."
The Carolina Panthers will have Tuesday off and will resume practices on Wednesday July 31 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.