Sanders (ankle) ‘looked good’

Sanders, who worked through a lingering ankle injury this offseason, won’t suit up for the team’s season opener. That leaves Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble as the Panthers’ top two tight ends against Chicago. Waller will be a touchdown-dependent TE2 option who probably won’t run many routes in the run-first Carolina offense. Tremble should remain on waiver wires.

Person said the Panthers, who hold the 19th pick in the 2026 draft, could target two Oregon players: Sadiq, who had 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season, and safety Dillon Thieneman, one of the most sought-after secondary options in this year’s draft. The team would likely have to trade up to make sure they have a shot at Sadiq, who would join Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders in the Carolina tight end room if he lands with the Panthers. The Panthers in 2025 targeted the tight end position at a 21 percent clip, the seventh lowest mark in the NFL. “Could that change with Brad Idzik taking over the play calling and the addition of offensive specialist Darrell Bevell, who was in Seattle with Canales when the Seahawks traded for All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham?” Person said. “Possibly.” Sadiq, who ranks 11th in yards per route run among tight ends in the 2026 draft class, would probably be a rotational player in Carolina.

Sanders underwent season-ending ankle surgery late last season and was placed on injured reserve before the Week 18 finale. Sanders, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, caught just 29 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown last season while starting five of the 13 games he appeared in. The third-year tight end will likely battle with Tommy Tremble for playing time this season, but the Panthers could also look to add to their tight end room through the draft with a talented rookie class incoming.

He’ll almost certainly be placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 18’s game against the Buccaneers. Sanders broke his ankle on Carolina’s first play from scrimmage yesterday against the Seahawks. The 2024 fourth-rounder enters the 2026 offseason in the third year of his rookie contract having not taken a noticeable step forward in his sophomore year while struggling through a midseason high-ankle sprain. He doesn’t figure to offer a lot in fantasy leagues in 2026 from where we sit at the end of the 2025 season.

Sanders’ right foot got rolled up run blocking on the literal first play of the game. He was in a world of pain before being carted to the locker room. It’s quite possible the 22-year-old’s season is through. The second-year pro entered today sitting on a 29/190/1 line, with the touchdown coming last week.

Sanders was targeted just twice, but one of those targets was a six-yard touchdown catch. The other one was an attempted hurdle for a three-yard gain in the first half. Rookie Mitchell Evans caught three passes for 23 yards as well. The tight end spot in Carolina is a mix of multiple players. Sanders ran 20 routes and saw 31 snaps, while Tommy Tremble saw 23 snaps and Evans saw 16 snaps. Sanders is the pass-catching tight end while Evans is more of the blocker, but neither should be on fantasy radars for Week 17.

Sanders led the team’s tight ends in targets and catches, but Tommy Tremble was the hero of the day with a 54-yard reception to set up a game-winning field goal. Rookie tight end Mitchell Evans also caught a pair of passes. With all three tight ends seeing some work every week, Sanders is barely in the TE2 mix ahead of Week 12.

Sanders flashed with at least five receptions in a game for the second time this season. The second-year tight end is at the mercy of the Panthers’ passing game when it comes to fantasy value, though. Bryce Young has thrown for at least 200 yards in a game once all year so it’s best to look elsewhere for a tight end in Week 11.

Even with Tommy Tremble active, it was Sanders who clearly led the tight end battle. Still, there was little to show for it with Andy Dalton struggling so much under center. Neither Panthers tight end should be trusted in fantasy leagues.

Tremble logged 12 routes on the day while Ja’Tavion Sanders ran 14 routes and did not catch either of his targets. Neither Tremble nor Sanders are fantasy relevant unless one of the tight ends misses time. Tremble had been a viable streaming option while Sanders was sidelined with an ankle injury.