Panthers' Christian McCaffrey: Week 9 status to be decided Saturday

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said McCaffrey (hamstring) will be re-evaluated Saturday before a determination is made whether the running back is reinstated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Rhule noted that he's "hopeful" McCaffrey will play this week, after the running back returned to practice Wednesday and was on the field for each of the last three days. Because McCaffrey isn't officially a member of the 53-man roster, the Panthers don't have to disclose the extent of his involvement in practice, though Rhule told the media that the 25-year-old was a limited participant Wednesday. Fantasy managers for both McCaffrey and his primary replacement the past five weeks -- rookie Chuba Hubbard -- should have more clarity on what Carolina's Week 9 backfield will look like by 4 p.m. ET Saturday, the deadline for the Panthers to add McCaffrey back to the roster in order for him to be eligible to play Sunday.