IAN THOMAS NEWS

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

Remains sidelined Thursday Thomas (calf) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice.

Impact Thomas has been dealing with the calf issue for over a month now and back-to-back DNPs to open the practice week would suggest he's on the wrong side of questionable for Week 1. Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) is also dinged up for Carolina, leaving rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders atop the depth chart, followed by Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Thomas (calf) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Thomas injured his calf in early August, joining fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) on the sideline in the interim. With both players still not practicing as of Wednesday, rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson are the healthy TEs on the active roster. Thomas and Tremble will have two more sessions this week to put themselves on paths to playing Sunday in New Orleans before Carolina potentially rules on both players' availabilities.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely for Week 1 Thomas (calf) did not practice Monday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thomas has been sidelined for nearly a month with the injury and although he was hopeful for a Week 1 return, Newton believes it "seems like a stretch," that he'll be able to play Sunday against the Saints. Considering the time he's missed already, even if the Indiana product returns to practice this week, he might not be in game shape. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) also questionable, the Panthers could be turning to rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders and veteran Jordan Matthews to handle all the tight-end snaps Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Injures calf, hopeful for Week 1 Thomas (calf) has suffered a calf injury but is hopeful to be ready for Week 1, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Thomas is currently projected as the third tight end on Carolina's roster behind Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders. Thus, a return to training camp prior to Week 1 would be beneficial for the veteran tight end securing a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Still, the 28-year-old has been with the team since 2018 and figures to be more likely than not to make the squad. Thus, expect Carolina to err on the side of caution in regards to bringing him back to practice too early.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Pass the Sticks with Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble Panthers tight ends Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble face off to find out who has to Pass the Sticks!

JULY 11 • PANTHERS.COM

Panthers Reportedly Restructuring Ian Thomas' Contract Carolina is looking to hang on to the veteran tight end.

MARCH 11 • SACBEE.COM

Suiting up for Week 16 Thomas (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Thomas will return from a one-game absence caused by an ankle injury. He logged a full practice session Friday, so he should be able to return to his typical role of splitting reps with Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up for Week 16 Thomas (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Thomas will return from a one-game absence caused by an ankle injury. He logged a full practice session Friday, so he should be able to return to his typical role of splitting reps with Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets in limited practice Wednesday Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Impact Thomas sat out of Sunday's win versus the Falcons due to an ankle injury, but he was able to manage a limited practice to begin the new week. He'll still likely need to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Catches lone look Thomas caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Thomas made his usual contribution, hauling in a spare target for the second straight week. With rare involvement in the passing game, his stock remains rather restricted.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Thomas (calf) was a limited participant during practice Wednesday.

Impact Thomas was designated to return from injured reserve Monday, so a slow start with practice makes sense for the Indiana product. Whether or not he'll be ready to return Sunday against the Cowboys remains up in the air, but the Panthers still have plenty of time in their 21-day window to move him back onto the active roster.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers place TE Ian Thomas (calf) on injured reserve Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (80) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of Am...

OCTOBER 14, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Panthers place TE Ian Thomas (calf) on injured reserve Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (80) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of Am...

OCTOBER 14, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Indiana's Ian Thomas makes impressive TD grab The Hoosiers' first touchdown of the season came in impressive fashion.

JULY 17, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

Photos: Ian Thomas, Panthers support Autism Charlotte at Turn the Night Blue fundraiser Ian Thomas and the Panthers helped raise money for Autism Charlotte with a "Turn the Night Blue" fundraising event on Friday at Bank of Amer...

APRIL 3, 2023 • PANTHERS.COM

Panthers tight end Ian Thomas agrees to pay cut, helps Carolina with salary cap space Panthers tight end Ian Thomas agreed to reduce his pay over the next two seasons, helping the team sign key free agents.

MARCH 16, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Panthers tight end Ian Thomas agrees to pay cut, helps Carolina with salary cap space Panthers tight end Ian Thomas agreed to reduce his pay over the next two seasons, helping the team sign key free agents.

MARCH 16, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Reworks deal with Panthers Thomas agreed to a restructured contract with the Panthers on Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Thomas signed a three-year extension in the 2022 offseason, and his reworked deal will help Carolina's cap flexibility. He's expected to occupy a backup role after the Panthers signed fellow tight end Hayden Hurst to a three-year contract Wednesday.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

REPORT: Ian Thomas Agrees to a Pay Cut Panthers create more cap space.

MARCH 16, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

No touchdowns in 2022 Thomas caught 21 of 30 targets for 197 yards while playing all 17 games in the 2022 season.

Impact Thomas filled his usual blocking role while sharing the tight-end targets alongside Tommy Tremble for a second straight year. While Thomas' production over the past four seasons hasn't changed much, he notably hasn't scored since 2020. Despite the possibility of a new coaching staff and starting quarterback in 2023, it's hard to envision Thomas' value shifting significantly.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Catches one pass in loss Thomas caught his only target for nine yards in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Thomas was a non-factor in the contest while playing 36 of the Panthers' 66 offensive snaps. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble played two more snaps than Thomas and was more productive, catching all three of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown. In a near-even split of playing time with Tremble, Thomas offers little in the way of fantasy production. The 26-year-old will look to make the most of his limited opportunities on offense in a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Catches one pass Thomas caught one of three targets for 12 yards in Week 16's 37-23 win over the Lions.

Impact Thomas broke his three-game multi-catch streak but has still hauled in at least one pass in all 15 appearances this season. He'll strive to keep that mini feat going Sunday versus the Buccaneers.

DECEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Saturday Thomas (thigh) was a full participant during practice Thursday and does not carry an injury designation ahead of Saturday versus Detroit.

Impact Thomas popped up with a thigh injury and logged back-to-back limited sessions to begin Week 16 prep. However, the 26-year-old is still in line to play his 14th game in a row this season. Thomas has caught 19 passes on 26 targets for 176 yards in 2022, and he should reprise his role as the Panthers' No. 2 tight end Tommy Tremble.

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes two grabs Thomas caught both of his targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Seahawks.

Impact Thomas has now made multiple receptions in three straight games. Although he's totaled just 56 yards over that span, he's at least occasionally helped Carolina connect on underneath throws.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE