Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders earned one target in Week 17 and turned that into a five-yard reception in Sunday's 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this one, Sanders took a clear backseat to the Panthers' receivers, Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette. In addition, the Buccaneers dictated game flow in this one, as they dominated the game and time of possession with 41 minutes compared to the Panthers' 19, making it difficult for Carolina's playmakers to make a difference in this contest. Sanders became fantasy-relevant in the middle of the season with 18 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown from Week 6 through Week 10. However, since Week 14, he has only earned three total targets, making him nothing more than a dynasty stash for fantasy managers. The Panthers will travel to Atlanta this week to take on the Falcons, and Sanders should be on your bench.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is not a viable option in Week 17 when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over his past three contests, Sanders has seen just two targets across and did not bring in any of them. However, earlier in the season, Sanders saw a solid 4.1 targets per game, during Weeks 5 through 12. During this span, he tallied 8.2 PPR points per game and found the end zone one time. The Panthers will be without top running back Chuba Hubbard (knee), which could force them to rely on Bryce Young to push the ball downfield to keep up with a potent Tampa Bay offense. However, given Sanders' unreliable target share of the past month, fantasy managers should not consider starting him in any format.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders should be viewed as a risky TE2 in Week 16 when he faces the Arizona Cardinals. Over his previous two contests, Sanders has seen just two total targets and has been unable to bring in any of them. However, during Weeks 5 through 12, Sanders saw solid 4.1 targets per game and averaged 8.2 PPR points per game during this span. He tallied at least 40+ receiving yards in four of these seven games. However, as of late, Sanders as not been very involved in the Carolina passing attack. Dynasty managers should continue to hold onto him as he has shown upside at times throughout his rookie campaign. For now, he should remain out of all lineups given his unreliable target share and tough matchup as the Cardinals have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points to the tight end position.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders posted a dud during last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Sanders failed to haul in his lone target of the game as he only played 49 percent of the offensive snaps. To be fair, it was his first game back from a neck injury, so possibly the Panthers were being cautious with him. The expectation is that Sanders is going to continue splitting up the reps with Tommy Tremble. That being said, Sanders won't be too appealing of a fantasy option for the Week 15 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He should be considered a TE2 as he figures to see more involvement this week.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) is officially active for Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday despite being given a questionable tag on Friday's final injury report. Sanders suffered a scary neck injury in the Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and went to the hospital, but he thankfully avoided a serious injury. He was held out of last week's overtime loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers but is returning to face the Eagles this Sunday in a game in which the Panthers will likely have to throw the ball often. The 21-year-old will continue to share playing time with Tommy Tremble in Carolina, but he's at least worth a look as a TE2 sleeper in his return with six teams on bye in Week 14. Sanders scored his first touchdown of the year in Week 10 and had a season-high 87 receiving yards in Week 9.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) was a full practice participant on Friday but is questionable to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in Week 14 action. Sanders' full practice means he's likely on the right side of questionable, but the Panthers won't be taking any chances after he suffered a scary neck injury in the Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The 21-year-old could see fewer offensive snaps against Philly, too, if he's active, making him a risky TE2 streamer for fantasy purposes. However, Sanders will be an intriguing sleeper pick at a low cost in DFS if he's active after he caught nine of his 10 targets for 144 yards and a touchdown in his three previous games. If Sanders sits again this weekend, Tommy Tremble will be in play as a TE2 streamer after going for season-highs in catches (five) and receiving yards (77) in last week's overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) is back on the practice field on Thursday and was not seen in the no-contact red jersey that he had been wearing since his scary neck injury in the Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Sanders hasn't played since that scary head-first landing but he put in a limited practice on Wednesday, and head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that he's hopeful that Sanders will be able to return in Week 14 to face the Philadelphia Eagles. The fourth-rounder was getting more involved in the offense before his injury a few weeks ago and could be worth looking at as a TE2 streamer in deeper fantasy leagues whenever he returns. In Sanders' absence in last week's overtime loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tommy Tremble had five catches on eight targets for a season-high 77 yards. UPDATE: Sanders was limited again on Thursday.
Ja'Tavion Sanders Limited During Wednesday's Practice
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. The rookie out of Texas missed last week's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering a scary-looking neck injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. However, it's a great sign that he is taking part in practice and has not been placed on Injured Reserve. Sanders has caught 29 passes for 302 yards and one touchdown this year. It's a promising start for a rookie tight end, but he's not worth rolling the dice on against the strong Philadelphia Eagles secondary in Week 14 even if he returns to the lineup.
Panthers Hope To Get Jalen Coker And Ja'Tavion Sanders Back For Week 14
Per head coach Dave Canales, the Carolina Panthers are hoping to get wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) back in the lineup for next Sunday's meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles. Steve Reed of The Associated Press reported the news. Both players missed all of last week's practices before being promptly ruled out for Week 13's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, they could potentially be available for a bout with a tough Eagles squad that's been stout against opponent's pass attacks this season. Philadelphia has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, so it's challenging to project either player for a meaningful fantasy day. Still, their practice participation leading up to Week 14 will be telling of their status for Sunday. Keep an eye out for Wednesday's report.
Jalen Coker, Ja'Tavion Sanders Ruled Out For Week 13
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) and rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) have both been ruled out for their Week 13 tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coker will now miss his second-straight game. Sanders sustained this neck injury last weekend during their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor their progress throughout the remainder of the season, as they have shown potential at times. This weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fantasy managers should expect Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, and Tommy Tremble to lead the Carolina passing attack.
Ja'Tavion Sanders
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Panthers
