Cousins throws TD pass in OT; Vikings beat Panthers 34-28
Kirk Cousins completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to KOCTOBER 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
IAN THOMAS #80 - TIGHT END - CAROLINA PANTHERS
7 YDS •
3 REC •
0 TD
7 YDS
3 REC
0 TD
Best outing of season Thomas caught four of five targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Eagles.
Impact Thomas once again played over 60 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps and helped the team with a couple of gains for first downs. With a long reception of 24 yards, Thomas enjoyed his best performance of the campaign, and although rookie Tommy Tremble managed a five-yard touchdown early, Thomas' outing Sunday still offers a slight boost to his fantasy stock ahead of Week 6's matchup versus the Vikings.
OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pass protection woes continue to plague Panthers
No matter where he goes, Sam Darnold can’t seem to find pass protectionOCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Logs three receptions Thomas caught all three of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.
Impact Thomas no longer had competition from Dan Arnold after the veteran was traded earlier in the week, allowing him to play over 60 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps. Overall though, Thomas' production wasn't too different from his usual output, as he caught a few short passes underneath. Despite now being the nominal starter, Thomas' upside remains restricted by his relatively small role within the Panthers' scheme, and rookie third-round tight end Tommy Tremble could also see his role grow over the course of the campaign.
OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Makes one catch Thomas caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 26-7 win over the Saints.
Impact Thomas made a minimal impact in the passing game, but it's worth noting he once again played more snaps than starting tight end Dan Arnold. In fact, with 52 offensive plays compared to Arnold's 22, Thomas was on the field far more than Arnold, but the latter's three catches for 55 yards Sunday evidenced his greater upside than Thomas, who sports just 24 yards through two games so far and has primarily been used as a blocker.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers hope for better results against post-Brees Saints
The Carolina Panthers could never really figure out Drew Brees when he was playing quarterback for the New Orleans SaintsSEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Makes long reception Thomas caught one of two targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 19-14 win over the Jets.
Impact Thomas opened the third quarter with a long gain and actually played two more snaps than starter Dan Arnold, who managed just a pair of catches for six yards. Although Thomas isn't expected to be much of a factor in Carolina's passing game this season, occasional impact plays like Sunday's grab would keep him in the mix for spare looks.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Undersized and overlooked, Patterson makes Washington roster
Jaret Patterson is no stranger to proving doubters wrongSEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Camp Highlight: Ian Thomas races to long touchdown Watch P.J. Walker hit Ian Thomas for a long touchdown catch and run during Friday's practice.
JULY 30, 2021 • PANTHERS.COM
Impressing this offseason Coach Matt Rhule pointed out Thomas has had a "great offseason" earlier this month and suggested he still has a chance to lay claim to the Panthers' starting tight end role, Darin...
Impact Thomas posted a promising rookie season back in 2018 but hasn't really followed it up with much of note in each of the last two, finishing out 2020 with just 20 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers signed Dan Arnold and drafted Tommy Tremble this offseason to shore up the position, but it looks like Thomas will still get a fair shake for the starting job and he's put in work this offseason to keep himself in the conversation. This job battle will likely continue into training camp.
JUNE 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers' Ian Thomas feels lighter, faster after a tough year — can he still break through? The Panthers added a couple of tight ends in the offseason, but Ian Thomas isn't worried. "You've just gotta go and play ball," he said.
JUNE 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Ian Thomas taking advantage of another chance Carolina's fourth-year tight end has had a better offseason, but also has more competition for playing time.
JUNE 4, 2021 • PANTHERS.COM
Panthers moving rookie standout Jeremy Chinn to safety
The Panthers plan to move Jeremy Chinn to safety, one year after a stellar rookie season at linebackerJUNE 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Disappointing third season Thomas finished the 2020 season with 20 catches on 31 targets for 145 yards and a touchdown in 16 games played.
Impact Thomas was expected to assume a larger role in Carolina's passing game following the departure of long-time Pro-Bowler Greg Olsen, but that simply did not manifest despite Thomas playing about 65 percent of the offensive snaps. In fact, the 2018 fourth-rounder's final production closely mirrored that from 2019, when he experienced significant dips from his promising rookie campaign. With 2021 marking the final year of Thomas' current contract, he should be plenty motivated to elevate his involvement, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be featured more, plus the Panthers could always add another option at tight end.
JANUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Blanked against Washington Thomas wasn't targeted in Sunday's 20-13 win over Washington.
Impact Thomas played 40 offensive snaps, but he failed to receive a target for the second time in five games. The third-year tight end has struggled to generate meaningful production this season despite Greg Olsen's departure, as he's posted a 19-146-1 line through 15 games.
DECEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Another three-catch display Thomas caught three of four targets for 29 yards in Saturday's 24-16 loss to the Packers.
Impact Thomas' yardage total actually marked a new season high. The tight end has hauled in three passes in consecutive games, giving him a little momentum ahead of next Sunday's game against Washington.
DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Mistakes around goal line costly to Panthers in loss
Mistakes around the goal line resulted in one more frustratingly close loss for the Carolina PanthersDECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Makes three grabs Thomas caught three of four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 32-27 loss to the Broncos.
Impact Thomas matched his season high in receptions, enabling him to reach 20 yards for just the second time this term. Despite clearly having restricted upside, Thomas' outing Sunday was at least some sign of progress.
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Active against Broncos Thomas (knee) is active Week 14 against the Broncos.
Impact Thomas popped up on the injury report late this week with a knee injury, but it won't prevent him from suiting up for the home matchup against Denver. While he's been targeted in the passing game only three times in the past three weeks, Thomas continues to see plenty of snaps. With DJ Moore (COVID) sidelined this week, there may be a few extra targets to go around that may have otherwise gone to the wideouts.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable to face Broncos Thomas (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Denver.
Impact Thomas didn't pop up on the injury report until Friday's practice, when he was a full participant, so seems like he's still trending toward suiting up. Chris Manhertz would likely draw the start if Thomas were to miss time, but Carolina's tight end position simply hasn't reliably produced for fantasy this season.
DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Carolina Panthers: Examining the curious case of Ian Thomas Taking a look at the curious case of Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas. It was a bold move by the Carolina Panthers to part ways with G...
DECEMBER 3, 2020 • CATCRAVE.COM
Another one-catch outing Thomas caught one of two targets for four yards in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Vikings.
Impact Thomas has managed more than one reception in just three of 12 appearances thus far, leaving him with very little fantasy value despite his starting tight-end job.
NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not targeted in loss Thomas didn't receive a target during Sunday's win over the Lions.
Impact Chris Manhertz and Thomas played 42 and 40 offensive snaps during the contest, respectively, but neither player recorded a catch Sunday. Thomas has played at least 56 percent of offensive snaps in every game this season, but he has only 12 catches for 93 yards and one touchdown.
NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Makes one grab Thomas caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's 46-23 loss to the Buccaneers.
Impact Thomas saw fellow tight end Colin Thompson score to begin the game, and is now tied with Thompson with one touchdown this season. With just 12 grabs in total, Thomas clearly isn't involved enough in Carolina's passing game to justify fantasy ownership despite his starting role.
NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Fumbles on lone catch Thomas caught one of two targets for eight yards in Sunday's 33-31 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Thomas actually fumbled on his lone reception Sunday, but the ball fortunately went out of bounds to clear him of a potential turnover. Through nine games, Thomas sports merely 11 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, giving him minimal fantasy value.
NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
