The Carolina Panthers placed tight end Ian Thomas (calf) on Injured Reserve on Saturday after already ruling him out for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. In addition to putting Thomas on IR, the team also waived cornerback Keenan Isaac and signed tight end Feleipe Franks and defensive tackle Jayden Peevy to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad. Thomas will now miss at least the first four weeks of the 2024 season after being sidelined since early in training camp with a calf injury. Tommy Tremble (back, hamstring) has already been ruled out for Week 1 as well, so Carolina is entering the regular season already thin at the TE position, meaning rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders will mostly likely be thrust into the top pass-catching role right away.
According to Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales, tight end Ian Thomas (calf) is expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks. Even worse, he appears in danger of missing the team's Week 1 meeting with the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Carolina. However, he hasn't been a reliable fantasy producer, totaling 116 catches for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 94 games. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) battling an injury of his own, Thomas was in line to see more snaps moving ahead. But if Tremble and Thomas aren't available for the opener, rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders might find himself starting.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas has been far from a mega-producer since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2018, but it can take many years for players to break out at the position, and he's reportedly flashed this offseason. "Much was made about the upgrade at tight end when the Panthers selected Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders in the fourth round, but it has been 2018 fourth-rounder [Ian] Thomas who has stolen the spotlight at a position that is featured in Dave Canales' passing game," Panthers reporter David Newton wrote. Thomas caught just five passes last season and hasn't matched his 333-yard rookie campaign over the last five seasons, but if Bryce Young takes a step forward, he could have at least some value in deep tight-end premium leagues. Sanders is a fun rookie prospect, but he's far from a sure thing, and it's rare for rookie tight ends to flourish.
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman predicts that the Arizona Cardinals will trade down to pick No. 11 in a swap with the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of this year's NFL draft to take LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas. The 21-year-old pass-catcher has been in the shadow of fellow wideout Malik Nabers, but he was terrific at the scouting combine in February to raise his draft stock tremendously. He also had 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and led the FBS with 17 touchdowns in 2023. "Potentially, I think can be really good in the NFL. He was a red zone nightmare. Even if you were in great position, he could still win those 50-50 balls. But he didn't scare you with (yards after catch) like Nabers did," one coach said. Adding another receiving weapon for quarterback Kyler Murray makes a lot of sense, especially when considering Arizona's top-three receivers are currently Michael Wilson, Chris Moore and Greg Dortch.
Although LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. stands in the shadow of teammate Malik Nabers for the upcoming NFL draft, the 6-foot-2 7/8, 209-pounder is viewed as a possible top-20 pick in April. "He's about as naturally talented as you can find at the position," NFL Network's Bucky Brooks said. "Big, fast, physical. Runs great routes. Natural catcher. Does a really good job of watching the ball into his hands. He can shine." The biggest question for Thomas is whether he can step outside the shadow of Nabors and be an alpha dog for an NFL team. Because he didn't work out at LSU's pro day on Wednesday, Thomas may not have answered that question completely, but it doesn't mean that a receiver-needy team won't be willing to take him in the first round in 2024.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (ankle) is officially active for Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. Given that the 27-year-old plays in a crowded tight end room and has just four catches through nine games, he is off the fantasy football radar.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (ankle) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday. However, he is officially listed as questionable ahead of Week 16 versus the Green Bay Packers. The 27-year-old has been a disappointment this season, catching just four passes through nine games. He should be left on waivers in all fantasy football leagues.
Carolina Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble (illness) and Ian Thomas (ankle) were both limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Stephen Sullivan (shoulder) practiced in full for the second straight day. Hayden Hurst (concussion) isn't coming back this season, so the Panthers will finish out the 2023 campaign with Hurst, Thomas and Sullivan at the position. The 23-year-old Tremble is the best bet for extremely limited fantasy production at the position in Carolina's weak offense. Since missing Week 13 due to a hip injury, he has caught three passes on five targets for 34 yards in two games. In 13 games played this year, Tremble has only 16 catches on 21 targets for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Avoid Carolina's TE position in fantasy for the final three games of 2023.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's team practice. Thomas first suffered his ankle injury in Week 14 and then went on to miss Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons. But the 27-year-old tight end could return in Week 16 following a limited practice to start the week. Thomas did not practice at all last week, so Wednesday's practice rep is a good sign. However, if active against the Green Bay Packers, he should not be on fantasy radars, even in tight end premium leagues. The five-year veteran has just four catches for 51 yards this season.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (ankle) did not practice all week and has officially been ruled out for Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Panthers also placed Hayden Hurts (concussion) on Injured Reserve, which will end his 2023 season following a diagnosis of post-traumatic amnesia from a concussion he suffered back in Week 10. With both Hurst and Thomas out this weekend, the Panthers will move forward with Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan at the position. Neither tight end should be on the streaming radar in Carolina's lackluster offense. Thomas has a mere four receptions on the year in nine games for the Panthers for 51 yards and no touchdowns. He's nowhere near the fantasy radar.
Ian Thomas
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Panthers
