Matt Rhule provides serious update on injured center Matt Paradis

The Carolina Panthers have suffered a big loss as head coach Matt Rhule announced Monday that center Matt Paradis has suffered a torn ACL and is out for the remainder of the season, according to a tweet posted by David Newton of ESPN.

“Matt Rhule confirms C Matt Paradis is out for the year with a torn ACL,” Newton’s post said. “Hearts out for him,” Rhule said.”

On the Panthers’ first drive of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, Paradis went down with an inury favoring his knee. He was carted off the field to the locker room and was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the game.

Paradis is currently in his seventh season in the NFL. He joined the Carolina Panthers after spending his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Sam Darnold, Christian McCaffrey return for Panthers on Sunday

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey were both back on the field Sunday for the team’s game against the New England Patriots – a 24-6 loss at Bank of America Stadium.

McCaffrey was finally active again after dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in a Week 3 game against the Houston Texans. He was expected to be limited to a snap total and finished with 14 carries for 52 yards and no touchdowns. Prior to his injury, McCaffrey had rushed for 201 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries this season.

Alongside McCaffrey, Darnold – who had been in concussion protocol and dealing with a shoulder injury – warmed up pregame and ended up making the start against New England but significantly struggled, completing just 16 of 33 passes for 172 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns. Darnold has thrown for 1,986 yards and seven touchdowns with 11 interceptions so far this season.

Panthers inactive list vs. Patriots

The Carolina Panthers announced that wide receiver Shi Smith, cornerbacks CJ Henderson and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, running back Royce Freeman, linebacker Kamal Martin, guard Pat Elfein and defensive tackle Phil Hoskins would all be inactive for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Henderson, who suffered a shoulder injury in an Oct. 24 game against the New York Giants, had practiced during the week but was ultimately ruled out. Prior to his injury, Henderson had made 14 solo tackles this season.

The loss of Royce Freeman – who has rushed for 77 yards on 21 carries this year – was a big one for Carolina, which had just three backs in Chuba Hubbard, Ameer Abdullah and Christian McCaffrey available against the Patriots.