Christian McCaffrey is trending towards returning from injured reserve for Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"If we played right now, I feel he'd be able to play," Matt Rhule said.

McCaffrey suffered a high ankle sprain during the Carolina Panthers' Week 2 loss and hasn't played since.

"Christian looked good today,'' Rhule said. "He looked fresh and fast. He recovered well from yesterday.''

McCaffrey returned to practice last week and was given a designation to return, but wasn't taken off IR.