Panthers hire Brady as OC

The Panthers and RB Christian McCaffrey have agreed to a 4-year, $64 million extension. That $16 million average annual salary makes CMC the league's highest-paid RB, edging out Ezekiel Elliott by a mill. Analytics folks will tell you Carolina is over-paying here (and they might be right). But at least McCaffrey is the rare RB that's dominant in both the running and passing games. He's now signed with the Panthers through the 2025 season, when he'll be 29 years old.

The Panthers have fired HC Ron Rivera. He's been with Carolina since 2011, compiling a 76-63-1 record with 4 playoff appearances. But the Panthers went 7-9 last year and are currently sitting at 5-7. Secondary coach Perry Fewell will take over as interim head coach, OC Norv Turner will move into an assistant role and QB coach Scott Turner will serve as OC for the final 4 games of the season. We're not expecting any tangible fantasy impacts from the moves.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (back) isn't listed on the final Week 6 injury report. He didn't practice on Wednesday, but HC Ron Rivera said that giving CMC Wednesdays off will be the norm going forward. He put in full workouts on Thursday and Friday. Expect McCaffrey to play his usual workhorse role in London on Sunday morning.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera said that RB Christian McCaffrey's back is "a little sore" but that he's "doing just fine." CMC sat out Wednesday's practice, but Rivera said that'll be the new normal going forward. It's a smart move by the Panthers considering they've fed McCaffrey 27.2 touches per game. He remains a locked-in RB1 for Sunday's game against the Bucs.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey missed Wednesday's practice and was listed on the injury report with a back. He was sidelined late in last week's win over the Jaguars with what was reported as cramps, but it looks like there might be more to it. We'll get another update on CMC tomorrow. RB Reggie Bonnafon is his handcuff.