McCaffrey out 4-6 weeks due to high ankle sprain

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks after an MRI revealed a high ankle sprain from Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCaffrey has confirmed the initial return timetable but wants to make a comeback ahead of schedule.

"They say four to six weeks. Well, that's a challenge to me," McCaffrey said Monday, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. "I'm gonna attack it like I attack anything else."

McCaffrey was forced out of Sunday's game midway through the fourth quarter after having his right ankle taped following his second touchdown of the contest.

The All-Pro back has yet to miss a game since entering the NFL as the eighth overall pick in 2017.

The Stanford product enjoyed his best pro campaign in 2019, leading the league in scrimmage yards (2,392) and touchdowns (tied with 19). He became just the third player in NFL history to amass at least 1,000 yards rushing and receiving.

Carolina made McCaffrey the highest-paid running back ever this offseason, signing him to a four-year, $64-million extension.

The 24-year-old rushed for 156 yards and a league-high four touchdowns in the first two weeks of the 2020 season. He also caught seven passes for 67 yards.