Mike Davis should still play even after Christian McCaffrey returns

Mike Davis has earned a rotational spot even after Christian McCaffrey returns.

Christian McCaffrey is listed as doubtful to play for the Carolina Panthers in their Thursday Night Football game vs. the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons. McCaffrey has missed the bulk of the 2020 NFL season due to a high ankle sprain. While he has been on the mend, Mike Davis has come in and done a fantastic job filling in for the best running back in the league in Joe Brady’s offense.

The Fantasy Footballers are hoping Davis doesn’t see all his hard work this season go to waste upon McCaffrey’s inevitable return to the starting lineup. He has rushed for 284 yards on 71 attempts for two touchdowns this season. Though McCaffrey has the skill set to never leave the field in a modern-day NFL offense, let’s hope Davis isn’t forced to ride pine for the entire time.

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For McCaffrey owners in fantasy football, they are eagerly anticipating the day their top-two pick returns to the Panthers sidelines in time for a playoff push. These last few weeks may have been rough for them, but the Panthers have puttered right along, playing .500 ball in what should have been a rebuilding season under first-year head coach Matt Rhule. Will Davis keep playing, though?

Playing Mike Davis will allow Christian McCaffrey to be even better

This is a different era in Charlotte. Rhule wants to keep making a good name for himself as a program builder and Brady will want to give himself the best chance to become an NFL head coach before he turns 35-years-old in a few years. Simply put, the Panthers aren’t trying to win games to keep their jobs by leaning on McCaffrey exclusively like Carolina did in the end for Ron Rivera.

So how does the Panthers offense evolve once McCaffrey returns and Davis remains in the mix. Look for McCaffrey to still be out there on 80-to-85 percent of Panthers offensive snaps. He’s the type of player who is just as effective as a runner as he is a receiver. For Davis, he’ll get a few carries here and there, as well as catch a ball or two out of the backfield instead of McCaffrey.

So how should McCaffrey owners feel about this? They need to accept it for what it is. McCaffrey is still a bona-fide RB1 in any fantasy league worth a damn. He’s not going to get all the snaps anymore, but it’s certainly better than the alternative you were getting. For those who have Davis on their reason, you knew this day was coming, but what a beautiful ride it has been for you.