HOUSTON - Christian McCaffrey left the Panthers behind on Thursday night's game against the Texans with a strained hamstring, and Carolina later lost to first-round pick Jesse Horn with a broken right leg.
Injuries confirmed by coach Matt Roulette soured a night in which the Panthers defeated the Texans 24–9 to go 3–0 for just the fifth time in the team's history.
Roulette said the team did not know the severity of McCaffrey's injury. The star running back will have to undergo additional tests.
Quarterback Sam Darnold said he spoke to McCaffrey after the game and described him as "sad." Darnold also had a message for McCaffrey, believing he would return this season.
"Just for me thinking about him and taking his time," she said. "We'll be fine without him. Obviously, we want him back. But I want him to take his time and make sure he's good for the end of the season."
Left tackle Cam Irving said it would hurt to lose McCaffrey, but believes the Panthers can maintain their early success.
"We are a football team," he said. "We are not Carolina Christian McCaffreys."
McCaffrey was hurt in the second quarter before the Texans' 14-yard line and scored a run to the left at -10. He appeared to have stepped up to avoid the defender and immediately went to the side after a 2 yards lead.
McCaffrey stayed in the sideline medical tent for 22 minutes before emerging and heading to the locker room. He limped a bit and went under his own power.
McCaffrey was replaced by Chuba Hubbard, a 2021 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State. Hubbard finished with 52 yards on 11, while adding three catches for 27 yards.
Early in the third quarter, the Panthers also lost Horn, the No. 8 overall pick, after suffering a non-contact injury to his right leg. Horn was taken to the locker room on a golf cart and later taken out for the game.
There was no immediate word on how long he would be sidelined with the break.
"We love those guys," said Roulette. "We're going to help them get better. Jaycee will be back. Jesse Horn is a special, special, special football player."
Horn, the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, was quickly included in the starting lineup and played a major role in becoming the league's top-ranked defense after two games at Carolina.
McCaffrey, who in 2019 became the third player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards and 1,000 yards in the same season, entered the game as league leader from scrimmage to yards with 324 yards.
He missed 13 games last season due to multiple injuries, including a high ankle sprain in Week 2. He looked stronger than ever this season.
He left late in the third quarter of last weekend's win against the New Orleans Saints, which he received some IV bags for "beginning cramps." He said earlier this week he was good.