IAN THOMAS NEWS

Dealing with calf issue Thomas is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 10 game against the Giants due to a calf injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thomas was hurt in the first half and was subsequently deemed questionable to return. If he's unable to get back into the game, it would further thin a Panthers tight-end corps that is already without Tommy Tremble (back).

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Serving as No. 2 TE Thomas caught both of his targets for four yards in Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Commanders.

Impact Thomas was out-produced by Ja'Tavion Sanders (six catches for 61 yards) for the second consecutive week since returning from injury, suggesting that Sanders has already taken over the Panthers' No. 1 tight end role. With Tommy Tremble (back) returning from injury as soon as next week, Thomas could be further relegated to Carolina's third-string tight end.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as No. 2 TE Thomas caught both of his targets for four yards in Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Commanders.

Impact Thomas was out-produced by Ja'Tavion Sanders (six catches for 61 yards) for the second consecutive week since returning from injury, suggesting that Sanders has already taken over the Panthers' No. 1 tight end role. With Tommy Tremble (back) returning from injury as soon as next week, Thomas could be further relegated to Carolina's third-string tight end.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Thomas (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thomas didn't get much playing time the past two weeks with Tommy Tremble in concussion protocol, and it seems Tremble may soon get clearance after practicing without restrictions Thursday and Friday. Rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders is the most interesting Carolina tight end for fantasy purposes, and it remains to be seen what his workload looks like if Tremble and Thomas are simultaneously available for the first time this season.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Added to injury report Thomas (hip) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Impact Thomas was added to the injury report after not being listed Wednesday. He previously spent Weeks 1-5 on injured reserve with a calf strain, and he played just 34 percent of snaps on offense upon returning for a 38-20 loss to the Falcons this past Sunday. Rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders has been getting most of Carolina's TE snaps and rates of late, but that could change with Tommy Tremble returning to full practice Thursday and seemingly on track to clear concussion protocol soon.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Ian Thomas: 'It was good to be back around my teammates' Watch the Panthers tight end speak to the media in Week 7.

OCTOBER 15 • PANTHERS.COM

Uneventful return from injury Thomas failed to catch any of his three targets in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Sunday's loss marked Thomas' first appearance this season, as the veteran tight end returned from a calf injury. However, Thomas appeared to be an afterthought in the Panthers' offensive game plan, seeing just two targets and playing behind rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders (five catches for 49 yards). With Tommy Tremble (concussion) potentially returning from injury as soon as next week, Thomas could see even less work and serve as the Panthers' No. 3 tight end in Week 7.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Uneventful return from injury Thomas failed to catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Sunday's loss marked Thomas' first appearance this season, as the veteran tight end returned from a calf injury. However, Thomas appeared to be an afterthought in the Panthers' offensive gameplan, seeing just two targets and playing behind rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders (five catches for 49 yards). With Tommy Tremble (concussion) returning from injury as soon as next week, Thomas could see even less work and serve as the Panthers' No. 3 tight end in Week 7.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Active against Falcons Thomas (calf) is active for Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Thomas' active status was foreshadowed by a combination of his activation from injured reserve Saturday and the ruling out of position mate Tommy Tremble due to a concussion. With Thomas now officially in uniform for the first time this season, the veteran tight end projects to split duties at the position with rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders versus Atlanta.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Activated, expected to play Week 6 Thomas (calf) was activated off injured reserve Saturday and is expected to suit up Sunday versus Atlanta, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Thomas injured his calf in early August and hasn't yet suited up this season. That's expected to change Sunday, as the tight end is expected to make his 2024 debut, per Zietlow. Thomas will likely take over the starting role at the position, and his return comes at a good time for Carolina with Tommy Tremble ruled out Sunday due to a concussion.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against Atlanta Thomas (calf) is questionable for Sunday's outing against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Thomas could play in his first game of the season against Atlanta, but he'll need to be activated off injured reserve on Sunday morning. The 6-foot-4 tight end, if able to play, could see some opportunities on the field as starting tight end Tommy Tremble has already been ruled out for Sunday's game.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

After months of being a coach, Ian Thomas is ready to return to the field Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas has spent months coaching and rehabbing. Now he's ready to get back to blocking and catching passes.

OCTOBER 10 • PANTHERS.COM

Bumped to limited participant Thomas (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Carolina's official team site reports.

Impact It looked like Thomas could see a return off injured reserve as early as this week with a full practice Wednesday, but he may be used with more caution and pushed to a return next week. The 6-foot-4 tight end will likely need a full practice on Friday if there's any hope of an active status Sunday against the Falcons.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Practices in full Thomas (calf) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Thomas appears to be nearing a return to the field after missing Carolina's first five games of the season due to a calf issue, but the 28-year-old must still be activated to the team's active roster in order to suit up Sunday. Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Wednesday that Thomas could "absolutely" be back for the Panthers' Week 6 matchup against the Falcons if he proves he's moved past his calf injury during practice this week, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers place LB Shaq Thompson on IR, rule out TE Ian Thomas, CB Dane Jackson The Carolina Panthers on Saturday downgraded tight end Ian Thomas and cornerback Dane Jackson to out for Sunday’s game against the host Chic...

OCTOBER 5 • THESTATE.COM

Panthers place LB Shaq Thompson on IR, rule out TE Ian Thomas, CB Dane Jackson The Carolina Panthers on Saturday downgraded tight end Ian Thomas and cornerback Dane Jackson to out for Sunday’s game against the host Chic...

OCTOBER 5 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Won't return Week 5 Thomas (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Chicago, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thomas gave himself a shot at returning from injured reserve after logging limited practice sessions all week, but he'll have to wait until Week 6 against Atlanta to potentially make his 2024 debut. Thomas has been on IR since injuring his calf in early September.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Week 5 Thomas (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Chicago, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thomas gave himself a shot at returning from injured reserve after logging limited practice sessions all week, but he'll have to wait until Week 6 against Atlanta to make his 2024 debut. Thomas has been on IR since injuring his calf in early September.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Officially questionable Thomas (calf) was limited in practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thomas, who was designated to return to practice Wednesday, has logged three straight limited sessions. He officially remains on IR, but it sounds like the depth tight end has a fair shot to be activated to the 53-man roster and play versus Chicago on Sunday. Panthers head coach Dave Canales said all players listed as questionable are trending in the right direction to play, per Joe Person of The Athletic.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Easing back in Thomas (calf) was a limited participant during practice Thursday.

Impact Thomas was also limited Wednesday when he returned to the field after being designated to return from injured reserve. His status for Sunday's matchup will likely remain in the air until at least Friday, while he tries to work his back after a several-week absence.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Will return to practice Thomas (calf) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact Thomas has been out of action since before the season began and has missed the mandatory four games on IR. He'll now be able to practice with the team, although he'll have to be added back to the 53-man roster to suit up Sunday against the Bears.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return Thomas (calf) is expected to be designated to return from injured reserve this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Thomas has missed the minimum four games and is now eligible to return to action. Once he is officially designated to return, he'll be able to practice with the team, but that doesn't guarantee he'll return this Sunday against the Bears. More clarity on his status for the matchup will likely come later in the week.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers place TE Ian Thomas (calf) on IR The Carolina Panthers placed Ian Thomas on injured reserve Saturday and signed fellow tight end Feleipe Franks to the 53-man roster.Thomas w...

SEPTEMBER 7 • SUNHERALD.COM

Lands on IR Thomas (calf) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Both Thomas and expected backup Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) were both ruled out Friday, which means fourth-round rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders will make his first career start Sunday against the Saints. Thomas wasn't particularly useful from a fantasy perspective last year, but he was a reliable blocker and had played at least 600 snaps from 2020-2022. The seven-year veteran won't be eligible to return until early October.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't expect to play Thomas (calf) isn't practicing Friday and said he won't play in Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) is also absent from Friday's practice, leaving rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders as the likely No. 1 tight end for his NFL debut. The Panthers have Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson on the roster for depth, and Thomas suggested he could be back as soon as Week 2 against the Chargers.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE