Ron Rivera believes Christian McCaffrey is being "punished" by an NFL rule that doesn't allow rookies to participate in offseason workouts other than rookie camp until their school year ends.

For McCaffrey, that means he can't fully practice with the Carolina Panthers until June 14.

The Panthers used the eighth overall pick on McCaffrey last month.

"I just think if a young man on his own is not going to enroll, don't hold that against him," Rivera said. "You don't know who you're going to get through the draft. If those young men decided on their own, then they're being punished for something that is their choice.

"It really only hurts the player. He's got to come in [late] and learn and grow and fit in."