Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey returned to practice Wednesday after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2.

This report will be a welcome sight to managers who drafted McCaffrey and have been stashing the RB1 since he went down. Mike Davis filled in admirably in McCaffrey's absence, so much so that it is fair to wonder whether Davis will retain a larger role in the offense than he had before McCaffrey's injury. Even if Davis takes on more usage following McCaffrey's return, CMC will remain a strong RB1 due to his high-volume role and involvement in the passing game.

According to Tom Pelissero on Twitter, Carolina Panthers superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is not expected to be activated from injured reserve ahead of tonight's contest against the Atlanta Falcons.

There had been some hope that CMC would be available for Thursday Night Football after missing Week 8. Those hopes were raised when he returned to practice this past week, but with 10 extra days to allow him to heal before the Panthers play again, holding him out one more contest may be in CMC's best interests. Mike Davis should be primed for another high volume outing against a Falcons team he gashed for 89 rushing yards, nine receptions, 60 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown in Week 5. Davis is our number six running back for Week 8.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule on Christian McCaffrey’s chances of playing on Thursday against Atlanta after he practiced today: “I’m hopeful. I’ll have to see how he responds to today. It was great having him out there.’’

Related players: Mike Davis

According to reports, CMC was in the red jersey on Monday and Tuesday indicating that he may not play this week on a short week, leaving Week 9 as perhaps a more realistic target. Rhule wouldn’t get into how much work McCaffrey did, according to story, but did say CMC “looks good. He looks like he’s moving around great. Just we’ll let the medical people and him determine how much he can do, or when he can play in a game.’’ We'll continue to monitor leading right up to inactives before the game.

Christian McCaffrey has been designated to return from the reserve/injured list.

Related players: Mike Davis

This opens his 21 day window to return. McCaffery practiced on Monday and Tuesday but wore a red non-participation jersey both days. This likely indicates he won't be ready to go Thursday night, but owners can still hold out hope as other reports say he's pushing to return this week. If he can't go, Davis gets another week as the team's RB1. The good news is it looks like CMC should be back for Week 9's game against the Chiefs.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey is considered a longshot to play Thursday vs. the Falcons, source said.

Related players: Mike Davis

But they haven’t ruled him out and he’s pushing to play, Rapoport went on to say in the tweet. However, the short week won't help. He’ll work his way back into practice and see if he can make enough progress, Rapoport added. Davis would continue to be the RB1 if CMC is out again this week. Even if CMC plays, he may not see a full workload.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey isn’t expected to play Sunday against the Saints -- the fifth game he’s missed since a high ankle sprain in Week 2, sources tell me and Mike Garafolo. He’s close, but they’re staying cautious with a Thursday night game vs. Atlanta up next.

Related players: Mike Davis

Garafolo added that two games in five days would be a stretch for CMC just returning from the high ankle sprain, so it looks like he will sit out Sunday vs. the Saints and then possibly return Week 8 on Thursday night hosting the Falcons. Davis will again get the workload in Week 7.

Matt Rhule says he's not sure whether Christian McCaffrey will be back this week, next week or the week after. He's missed four games with a high ankle sprain.

Related player: Mike Davis

The Panthers have been saying they won't rush back McCaffrey, and it's been especially true because of the play of Davis at RB during much of the time McCaffrey missed. The injury was set to keep him out 4-6 weeks so the basic time frame Ruhl lays out kind of indicates that. He could miss the next two games and return after that but owners will want to make sure they keep updated on McCaffrey's status.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey was not activated from Injured Reserve Friday and appears unlikely to play Week 7 against New Orleans, according to David Newton of ESPN. McCaffrey is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, and this game would be week four missed.

Related Player: Mike Davis

There was optimism for Week 6 against the Bears, but safer is better for the Panthers' best offensive player. Mike Davis will continue to start.

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey still has not been activated from injured reserve and will not practice Wednesday due to his high-ankle sprain.

McCaffrey has already sat out three weeks so he is eligible to be activated off IR at any time. The fact that the Panthers have not activated him yet is a bad sign for his prospects of suiting up in Week 6 against the Bears. It looks like CMC will need another week to get fully healthy, which means Mike Davis should have another week of RB1 value left in him.

Christian McCaffrey is eligible to come off IR this week, but don’t look for the Panthers to activate the Pro Bowl running back for at least another week or two.

Related players: Mike Davis

We had a similar story just a week ago. The Panthers want to give McCaffrey's right high ankle sprain, suffered during a Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay, more time to heal, the story said. It doesn't hurt that Davis has been great filling in for McCaffrey, so it looks like Davis owners have another week or two to get some use out of him with McCaffrey owners have more time to kill.