Coach Matt Rhule said Friday that McCaffrey will be out for "a few weeks" with a hamstring strain, Kristen Balboni of the Panthers' official site reports.
Rhule couldn't offer a more precise timeline but did acknowledge that McCaffrey will miss at least one game (and quite possibly more). Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests the Panthers are in no rush to place their star running back on injured reserve -- a move that would rule him out for the next three games. That doesn't necessarily mean McCaffrey will be back before then, but it does show the team has some hope. Chuba Hubbard took the lead after McCaffrey's early exit from Thursday's 24-9 win over Houston, with the rookie gaining 79 yards on 14 touches while Royce Freeman managed 25 yards on six.