JA'TAVION SANDERS NEWS

Finishes rookie campaign strong Sanders caught three of his five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win against the Falcons.

Impact Sanders had really struggled since returning from his neck injury in the Week 14 loss to the Eagles, managing to catch just one of his three targets for five yards over four games prior to Sunday's performance. The rookie tight end from Texas finished as the Panthers' fourth-leading receiver in Week 18, outpacing fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (30 yards). Sanders finished his rookie campaign as Carolina's top receiver from the tight end spot, recording 33 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown in 16 appearances.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Held without a catch again Sanders failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 30-14 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Since returning from a neck injury in Week 14, Sanders has seen just two targets and failed to catch either. He was out-produced by Tommy Tremble for the second consecutive game, with Tremble recording three receptions for 18 yards and one touchdown during that span. Sanders' offensive role appears to have diminished as of late, and he will likely continue to split Carolina's top tight end duties with Tremble as the season progresses.

DECEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in return Sanders failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles.

Impact The 2024 fourth-round pick missed the Panthers' Week 13 loss to the Buccaneers after sustaining a neck injury the game prior, and he delivered a lackluster performance in his return Sunday. Sanders was not targeted in the final three quarters the Week 14 loss after failing to connect with Bryce Young on a deep ball in the first quarter. Despite this, the rookie still leads the Panthers' tight end corps in receiving yards (302) and receptions (29) in 11 appearances this season. He'll likely continue to split offensive snaps with Tommy Tremble in Week 15, when the Cowboys visit Carolina.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Sunday Sanders (neck) is listed as active Sunday at Philadelphia, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Sanders is back after missing one game due to a neck injury that he sustained following a scary fall back in Week 12 against the Chiefs. He'll thus act as Carolina's top tight end Sunday against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest YPT (6.16) to opposing tight ends this season.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Should play after full practice Sanders (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Philadelphia after being a full practice participant Friday, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

Impact Panthers coach Dave Canales said after Friday's practice that he expects Sanders to play, per Joe Person of The Athletic. The rookie missed Week 13 after taking a hard hit Week 12, pausing a run of strong form in which he'd caught nine of 10 targets for 144 yards and a TD over the span of two and a half games. Sanders has been one of Carolina's more productive pass catchers on a per-route basis this year, but he's only been a full-time starter in the absence of fellow tight end Tommy Tremble, who currently is healthy.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited Thursday Sanders (neck) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Impact Sanders made an early exit from a Week 12 loss to the Chiefs due to a neck injury, which required a cart for him to get to the locker room and a hospital visit for further evaluation. He didn't practice at all last week before the Panthers ruled him out for this past Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Sanders got back on the field Wednesday but was donning a red non-contact jersey, leaving him limited. One day later, he had ditched that jersey, per Joe Person of The Athletic, but Sanders' activity level remained the same. Sanders thus will have one more session to prove his health ahead of Sunday's visit to the Eagles.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Practices in non-contact jersey Sanders (neck) was limited Wednesday and wore a red non-contact jersey at the portion of practice open to the media, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Head coach Dave Canales said Monday he's hopeful Sanders, who hasn't played since injuring his neck Week 12, will be able to return Sunday versus the Eagles. The rookie fourth-round pick didn't practice last week, so it's encouraging to see him back on the field Wednesday, but he'll need to resume handling full contact reps in short order for a chance at retaking the field Week 14. Tommy Tremble racked up a season-high 77 yards on five catches (eight targets) in Week 13 with Sanders sidelined.

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful for Week 14 Coach Dave Canales said Monday that the hope is Sanders (neck) will be able to return next Sunday against the Eagles, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Sanders injured his neck in Week 12 against the Chiefs and didn't practice last week before missing this past Sunday's loss to the Bucs. With Sanders out versus Tampa Bay, Tremble played 100 percent of the offensive snaps for the first time in his career and set career highs across the board in targets (eight), catches (five) and yards (77).

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out this week Sanders (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Impact Sanders unsurprisingly hasn't practiced since suffering a serious-looking injury during last week's loss to the Chiefs. With his promising rookie season on hold, the Panthers figure to turn back to Tommy Tremble as their top tight end. Tremble played every snap on offense after Sanders' early departure last Sunday.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DNP on Thursday Sanders (neck) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Sanders is in recovery mode from a neck injury that he sustained this past Sunday against the Chiefs in which he was carted off the field and required further evaluation at a Charlotte area hospital. Coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Sanders to be available for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, per Gantt, but the tight end may get back on the practice field before week's end. Friday's injury report will reveal as much and also may include a ruling on his Week 13 status.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Sunday Coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that the Panthers don't expect Sanders (neck) ro play Sunday against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Sanders was placed on a backboard and carted off the field just before halftime of this past Sunday's loss to the Chiefs after he landed on his neck as he was tackled at the end of a 10-yard catch and run. He was evaluated further at a Charlotte area hospital before getting discharged not long after the game. Canales relayed to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer on Monday that Sanders avoided a serious injury before adding Wednesday that the rookie tight end may practice later this week. No matter, Sanders seems destined to be inactive Week 13.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No practice Wednesday Sanders (neck) isn't practicing Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Sanders endured a scary situation this past Sunday versus the Chiefs when he was tackled low at the end of a 10-yard catch and run and landed on his neck. He was placed on a backboard before being carted off the field and taken to a Charlotte area hospital, but he was discharged not long after the game. On Monday, coach Dave Canales told Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer that Sanders avoided a serious injury, but the rookie right end won't take part in any drills to begin Week 13 prep. Sanders' listing on practice reports Thursday and Friday may be telling for his odds to play Sunday against the Buccaneers.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids serious injury Coach Dave Canales said Monday that Sanders (neck) avoided a serious injury in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Sanders was, in fact, in the Panthers' team building Monday, which is a good sign after he was taken to the hospital for testing following the injury Sunday. The Panthers are still evaluating if Sanders will be able to play next Sunday against the Bucs, but it does sound like the rookie tight end will play again this season.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Discharged from hospital Sanders, who left Sunday's game against the Chiefs due to a neck injury, has been released from the hospital, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Sanders had been transported to a local hospital Sunday after being carted off the field supported by a backboard. Per Newton, though the rookie tight end was subsequently discharged from the hospital, he still is being evaluated. The Panthers' next game is Dec. 1 against the Buccaneers.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ja'Tavion Sanders injury update: Panthers TE carted off, taken to hospital after scary fall on head vs. Chiefs | Sporting News Canada Here's what is known about Ja'Tavion Sanders' injury after he was carted off vs. Kansas City.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Ruled out of Sunday's game Sanders won't return to Sunday's contest against the Chiefs due to a neck injury, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Sanders landed on his helmet at the end of a 10-yard catch and run late in the first half. Prior to getting carted off the field, he was placed on a backboard and had his neck stabilized, and the Panthers relayed that the rookie tight end was transported to a Charlotte area hospital to be evaluated further. Sanders thus will end Week 12 with three catches on as many targets for 49 yards.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves field on cart Sunday Sanders (head/neck) was carted off the field during Sunday's game versus the Chiefs, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Sanders went head over heels at the end of a 10-yard catch and run when he took a low hit on the left sideline, with his helmet taking the brunt of the fall. He was placed on a backboard before needing a cart to go to the locker room. An official diagnosis isn't yet known, but Sanders had three catches (on three targets) for 49 yards when he departed just before halftime.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone in OT win Sanders secured both of his targets for eight yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 20-17 overtime win over the Giants in Munich on Sunday.

Impact Sanders operated as the top tight end with Tommy Tremble (back) out once again, and he cashed in with his first NFL touchdown on a five-yard grab in midway through the first quarter. The rookie heads into a Week 11 bye with six receptions for 95 yards and Sunday's score over his last two games and should continue to enjoy a reliable role in the air attack down the stretch run of the season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Should be team's top TE in Week 10 Sanders is expected to serve as the Panthers' top tight end in Sunday's game against the Giants in Munich with Tommy Tremble (back) inactive for the contest, Darin Gantt of the tea...

Impact While Tremble has missed three of the Panthers' past four games due to the back injury and a concussion, Sanders has produced well in all three of those contests. He's logged at least 73 percent of snaps in each of those games while producing an 15-197-0 line on 18 targets. The first two of those games came with Andy Dalton under center, but the rookie fourth-round pick out of Texas showed a rapport with Bryce Young at quarterback in the Week 9 win over the Saints, finishing with four receptions for a career-high 87 yards.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Sanders (wrist/ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Impact Sanders was added to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant before upgrading to full participation Friday. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (back) is listed as questionable, but a pair of full practices this week suggest he's likely to play, which could mean a reduction in Sanders' workload. On the other hand, Sanders' performance in recent weeks could mean his playing time is less dependent on Tremble's health. Sanders has played at least 70 percent of snaps in the five games Tremble has missed or left early, compared to 50 percent snap share or less the four weeks when Tremble has been fully available.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Added to injury report Sanders was limited at Thursday's practice due to wrist and ankle injuries.

Impact Sanders wasn't listed on the Panthers' practice report Wednesday, so the mention of two new health concerns may mean the cap on his reps Thursday is maintenance related. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (back) also was limited Thursday, while Feleipe Franks practiced fully but remains in the concussion protocol. As a result, the state of Carolina's TE room is up in the air ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants in Germany.

NOVEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

New career high in receiving yards Sanders secured four of five targets for 87 yards in the Panthers' 23-22 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Impact Sanders recorded a team- and career-high yardage figure with the help of a game-long 46-yard catch on the second play of the second half. The rookie fourth-round pick now has at least four catches and 49 receiving yards in three of the past four games, and with Tommy Tremble (back) seemingly unable to stay healthy for long, Sanders may be asserting himself as the top option at tight end.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

New career high in receiving yards Sanders secured four of five targets for 87 yards in the Panthers' 23-22 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Impact Sanders recorded a team- and career-high yardage figure with the help of a game-long 46-yard catch on the second play of the second half. The rookie fourth-round pick now has at least four catches and 49 receiving yards in three of the past four games, and with Tommy Tremble (back) seemingly unable to stay healthy for long, Sanders may be asserting himself as the top option at tight end.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in Week 8 Sanders caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Broncos.

Impact The 2024 fourth-round pick out of Texas appeared to be emerging as a reliable receiving option after catching 11 passes for 110 yards across the Panthers' last two contests. However, Tommy Tremble's return from injury in Week 8 seemed to make Sanders an afterthought in Carolina's offensive gameplan. Given the Panthers' recent struggles on offense, Sanders is likely best left out of fantasy lineups in Week 9 when the Saints come to Carolina.

OCTOBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in Week 8 Sanders caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Broncos.

Impact The 2024 fourth-round pick out of Texas appeared to be emerging as a reliable receiving option after catching 11 passes for 110 yards across the Panthers' last two contests. However, Tommy Tremble's return from injury in Week 8 seemed to make Sanders an afterthought in Carolina's offensive game plan. Given the Panthers' recent struggles on offense, Sanders is likely best left out of fantasy lineups in Week 9 when the Saints come to Carolina.

OCTOBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE