Rookie tight end officially questionable, likely to suit up
Among Carolina Panthers likely to play versus the Eagles in Week 14 are edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Sanders suffered a neck injury in Week 12 versus the Chiefs. He was a full participant in practice Friday after being a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. The University of Texas product looks forward to returning in Week 14 versus the Eagles. He was logging reps as the Panthers’ main tight end from Week 5 until the injury.
The rookie tight end averaged 4.1 targets and 39.1 receiving yards per game from Week 5 to 12, earning four red zone targets and scoring one touchdown. During that span, Sanders played the majority of snaps ahead of fourth-year tight end Tommy Tremble. Tremble drew eight targets in Week 13 with Sanders out, catching five for 77 yards. Sanders is a desperation-only bye week fill-in tight end in Week 14, especially against a stingy Eagles defense.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
Carolina Panthers tight ends Ja'Tavion Sanders (groin, ...
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion) was ...
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion) was ...
With a trembling hamstring, the Panthers 4th year tight end is being sidelined.
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble is missing practice due to a hamstring issue. The extent and severity is not known yet, but the hamstring injury is one that can linger.
In recent years the Carolina Panthers have not gotten the production they were hoping for from Ian Thomas. The Panthers drafted Texas rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders with the first pick in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tremble is entering his 4th season and hoping to carve out a significant role in the Dave Canales offense. While Ja’Tavion Sanders isn’t running away with the top tight end role, it is disconcerting for Tremble to miss time with a new offensive system being put in place.
