Carolina Panthers star Christian McCaffrey is not expected to play against the Detroit Lions in the NFL on Sunday.

McCaffrey missed last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a shoulder injury and the Panthers running back is set to be sidelined again for the visit of the Lions in Carolina.

The 2019 Pro Bowler and All-Pro – who did not practice on Wednesday – suffered the injury late in the Week 9 defeat to Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs.

"So I don't know when it'll be," Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said of McCaffrey's return on Wednesday.

"I don't know whether it will be next week. Or the next. I'm not sure. Nobody knows their body better than Christian."

McCaffrey ran for 69 yards and a touchdown while catching 10 passes for 82 yards and another score against the Chiefs.

The 24-year-old led the league with 2,392 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns last season.

However, he has failed to live up to his reputation as a runner in his three games in 2020, the former eighth overall pick averaging minus 0.28 rushing yards over expectation, according to the NFL's NextGen Stats.

He has been more efficient as a receiver, however, McCaffrey is averaging 8.8 yards per reception and has not dropped any of the 19 passes thrown his way.

In three games this season, McCaffrey is averaging 124.7 scrimmage yards and scored six total touchdowns for the 3-7 Panthers.

Meanwhile, Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater remains in doubt after he was limited in practice midweek.

Bridgewater exited Sunday's defeat to the Buccaneers with a knee injury.

"We'll monitor him day-to-day and see if he is able to go on Sunday," Rhule said. "We'll see how he responds to today's work tomorrow."