IAN THOMAS NEWS

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 linebacker

JUNE 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 Panthers

DECEMBER 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

Makes three grabs Thomas caught all three of his targets for 28 yards in Thursday night's 25-17 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Thomas set new season highs in catches and yards, and while that obviously marks encouraging progress, his overall totals still weren't enough to make much of a fantasy impact.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another one-catch performance Thomas caught his only target for 11 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Saints.

Impact Thomas' output from Sunday was right in line with his prior outings this season, as he's not yet topped two catches or 20 yards through any of Carolina's seven games. As a result, fantasy expectations for Thomas should remain low despite a favorable matchup against the Falcons in Week 8.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Carolina Panthers could use McCaffrey's help in red zone

The Carolina Panthers are struggling in the red zone and really miss Christian McCaffrey

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • Associated Press

Makes one grab Thomas caught his only target for nine yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Bears.

Impact Thomas played nearly 70 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps but yet again made minimal impact from a receiving standpoint. Through six games, the tight end sports just six grabs for 39 yards and a touchdown, leaving him on the outskirts of fantasy relevancy.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No catches in Week 5 Thomas failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Falcons.

Impact Thomas featured for 65 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps, yet saw only one pass come his way. That low usage is nothing new for Thomas, however, as he's totaled just five catches on 10 targets for 30 yards and a touchdown through five weeks. Such a restricted role in the passing game gives Thomas minimal fantasy value.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hauls in touchdown Thomas caught two of five targets for five yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Thomas has now managed merely 30 receiving yards through four games, but his touchdown from two yards Sunday at least offered a glimmer of hope. He actually saw fewer snaps Sunday than fellow tight end Chris Manhertz, who finished with one catch for 17 yards. With neither option being particularly productive, Carolina's starting tight-end role hasn't meant much in fantasy terms thus far.

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Mayfield, Garrett, Beckham lead surging Browns past Cowboys

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • Associated Press

Catches one pass Thomas caught one of two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Chargers.

Impact Thomas was unsuccessfully targeted on Carolina's first offensive play, then hauled in his only other look shortly after committing a holding penalty in the second quarter. Through three games, the tight end has managed just three grabs for 25 yards despite his regular starting role, making for a disappointing fantasy return to date.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted Sunday Thomas was not targeted in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Thomas played over half of Carolina's offensive snaps, yet didn't see any of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's 42 passing attempts come his way. On a day Bridgewater finished with 367 passing yards, Thomas' complete lack of involvement comes as a concern. The tight end will be desperate to make a larger impact in Week 3 versus the Chargers, but Sunday's goose egg sets the bar incredibly low.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE