Ja'Tavion Sanders - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Inactive for Week 1 Sanders (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Sanders, a fourth-round selection of the Panthers in the 2024 NFL Draft, will be a healthy scratch for Week 1 while Carolina rolls with Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Darren Waller and Feleipe Franks as the active tight ends for Sunday's regular-season opener. Sanders' next chance to suit up is Week 2 against the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 20, though he may not be active for a game unless there's an injury to a tight end ahead of him on the depth chart.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Panthers look for new TE Darren Waller to provide a boost to passing game

When the Carolina Panthers reached out to Darren Waller to see if he would be interested in returning to the NFL he jumped at the opportunity

AUGUST 17 • Associated Press

Could be on roster bubble Sanders could have to battle for a roster spot for the remainder of the preseason after the Panthers signed veteran tight end Darren Waller to a one-year deal Wednesday, Mike Kaye...

Impact Even before the Panthers brought Waller aboard, Sanders already looked to be third on the depth chart at tight end, as he played in the team's preseason opener versus the Cardinals last week while Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans were rested. A fourth-round draft pick in 2024, Sanders had still been viewed as the Panthers' top pass-catching option at the position, but he no longer holds that distinction following the addition of the 33-year-old Waller, who ended a one-year retirement last season and delivered an impressive 24-283-6 receiving line in just six games with the Dolphins. With Carolina also holding Feleipe Franks in high regard for his special-teams contributions, the team may prefer to enter the season with him as their No. 4 tight end over Sanders, who could be viewed as redundant now that Waller is in the fold.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Three catches in preseason opener Sanders (ankle) brought in all three targets for 13 yards in the Panthers' 33-30 preseason win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Impact Sanders started the game and recorded his first two receptions on the Panthers' first pair of plays from scrimmage. The 2024 fourth-round pick has been solid in a rotational role over his first two seasons, posting a combined 62-532-2 line on 77 targets over 29 regular-season games. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Sanders has a chance to overtake Tommy Tremble for the No. 1 tight-end role, although it's possible head coach Dave Canales opts to continue utilizing both players in a 1A-1B type of arrangement again.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Injures ankle Tuesday Sanders exited Tuesday's practice with an ankle injury, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact The injuries continue to pile up for Carolina, though there hasn't been any indication Sanders is dealing with a long-term problem. Sanders has appeared in 29 regular-season contests across his first two seasons and has produced 62 catches for 532 yards and two touchdowns on 77 targets. He's again expected to see snaps in the Panthers' three-man tight end committee that also involves Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers' patience with Ja'Tavion Sanders is now facing its biggest test Now is the time.

JULY 31 • CATCRAVE.COM

Looking healthy at OTAs Sanders (fibula) is participating in practice at OTAs on Wednesday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlette Observer reports.

Impact Sanders is running and cutting laterally without issue at OTAs, and it appears he's officially back to full health after having undergone surgery to address a broken right fibula suffered last December. He and Tommy Tremble remain positioned as the Panthers' top options at the tight end position, with Sanders potentially being the favorite for more pass-catching utilization. Across 13 regular-season appearances in 2025, Sanders secured 29 of 34 targets for 190 yards and one score.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers are putting all their eggs in Ja'Tavion Sanders' basket this season Dan Morgan said a lot without saying anything.

APRIL 27 • CATCRAVE.COM

Rehab going well Panthers GM Dan Morgan said Tuesday that Sanders (fibula) has resumed running and making cuts in his rehab and could be ready for the start of OTAs, Joe Person of The Athletic repo...

Impact Sanders is recovering from surgery undergone to address a broken right fibula suffered late December. Across 13 regular-season appearances last year, the 2024 fourth-round pick secured 29 of 34 targets for 190 yards and one touchdown. Unless Carolina makes significant additions to the TE position in the 2026 NFL Draft or via free-agent signings, Sanders and Tommy Tremble will be positioned again operate as the team's top options at tight end.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Officially placed on IR The Panthers placed Sanders (fibula) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Sanders facing recovery from surgery to address a broken right fibula suffered on the first play of Carolina's loss to Seattle in Week 17, with the expectation being that even if the Panthers manage a deep playoff run, he will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. With Sanders sidelined, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans and James Mitchell will hold down the fort at TE for Carolina. Across 13 regular-season appearances in Year 2 of his NFL career, Sanders secured 29 of 34 targets for 190 yards and one touchdown.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers' Bryce Young could see more man-to-man defense after major flop against Seahawks

Bryce Young could face more man-to-man coverage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • Associated Press

Tight end plan took a hit with Ja'Tavion Sanders injury Sanders suffered a broken ankle on the first play of the game, when they lined up with three tight ends. But they still found new ways to us...

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • PANTHERS.COM

Has broken ankle, set for surgery Coach Dave Canales said after Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seahawks that Sanders suffered a broken ankle during the contest and is slated for surgery, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Obse...

Impact Based on Canales' comments, Sanders almost assuredly will miss a Week 18 matchup with the Buccaneers, the winner of whom will take the NFC South. In reality, though, Sanders' 2025 season likely is over, even if the Panthers were to make a deep playoff run. For as long as Sanders is sidelined and Carolina's campaign remains alive, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans and James Mitchell will be the tight ends available to the offense.

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out of Sunday's game Sanders (ankle) won't return to Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Sanders had his lower right leg rolled up by RB Rico Dowdle on the Panthers' first play from scrimmage Sunday. The second-year tight end needed help getting to the sideline and then was carted to the locker room before he was ruled out. Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans will take on TE duties for the Panthers for the rest of Week 17.

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers ankle injury Sunday Sanders departed Sunday's game against the Seahawks due to a right ankle injury, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

Impact On the Panthers' first play from scrimmage in Week 17, RB Rico Dowdle tallied an 11-yard carry but rolled up into Sanders' lower right leg as he was tackled to the ground. Sanders required assistance to get off the field and then was carted to the locker room. Carolina has deemed the second-year TE questionable to return, but if Sanders isn't able to, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans will handle snaps at the position for the rest of Sunday's outing.

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Snags TD in Week 16 win Sanders caught both of his targets for nine yards and one touchdown in Carolina's 23-20 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Impact Sanders' six-yard touchdown in the third quarter have the Panthers a 20-17 lead. The tight end has produced fewer than 20 receiving yards in eight of his 12 appearances this season and offers little fantasy value headed into next Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

DECEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers' Bryce Young scrambles & finds Ja'Tavion Sanders for go-ahead TD against Buccaneers | NFL Highlights

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Logs five yards in Week 16 Sanders caught both of his targets for five yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Saints.

Impact The 22-year-old has struggled to contribute over the Panthers' last three games, catching all three of his targets for 11 yards during that span. However, Sanders logged 29 offensive snaps Sunday, slightly more than both Tommy Tremble (28) and Mitchell Evans (25). Even if Sanders remains Carolina's top pass-catching tight end, he'll likely carry limited fantasy value due to the team's ongoing offensive consistency issues in the Week 16 matchup against the Buccaneers.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Blanks in Week 13 Sanders was not targeted during Sunday's 31-28 win over the Rams.

Impact The second-year pro from Texas has served as Carolina's top receiving tight end throughout the season, catching 25 of 30 targets for 176 yards across 10 appearances. However, he's been targeted just once over the Panthers' last two games, indicating that his role may be shrinking as the season progresses. Carolina is on bye in Week 14, but Sanders will likely carry minimal fantasy value in the Week 15 matchup against the Saints.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Young throws 3 TDs, Panthers turn over Stafford 3 times to end Rams' 6-game win streak, 31-28

Bryce Young completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns — two of them coming on fourth down — and the Carolina Panthers forced three turnovers by Matthew Stafford...

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Just one target in loss Sanders caught his lone target for six yards in Monday night's 20-9 loss to the 49ers.

Impact Although he was targeted just once, Sanders was the only Panthers' tight end to contribute in the receiving game Monday night. He's now caught 25 of 30 targets for 176 yards through just nine contests this season. Expect the Texas product to remain Carolina's No. 1 option at TE but carry minimal fantasy value in the Week 13 matchup against the Rams.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Another solid outing Sunday Sanders caught all four of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win over the Falcons.

Impact The second-year pro from Texas (37 snaps) logged fewer offensive snaps than Tommy Tremble (42 snaps) but still paced the Panthers' tight-end room in targets and receptions. Sanders has caught all nine of his targets for 54 yards over Carolina's last two games, establishing himself as the team's top receiving option at TE. He's expected to remain one of Bryce Young's favorite targets and could be a viable streaming option in the Week 12 matchup against the 49ers.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Five receptions against Saints Sanders caught all five of his targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 17-7 loss to New Orleans.

Impact It was the second-highest reception total of the season for the second-year tight end, after a 7-54-0 line in Week 2. Sanders is still looking for his first touchdown of 2025, and Carolina's limited passing attack might not give him many opportunities to end that drought. Sanders will take a 20-148-0 line on 25 targets through seven games into a Week 11 clash with the Falcons.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Just one catch vs. Green Bay Sanders caught his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 16-13 win over the Packers.

Impact The second-year tight end from Texas has struggled to settle in since returning from injury in the Week 7 win over the Jets, posting just four catches for 24 yards across 87 offensive snaps. Even so, he's expected to remain the Panthers' top pass-catching tight end heading into the Week 10 matchup against the Saints.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal output in loss Sanders caught all three of his targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 40-9 loss to the Bills.

Impact Since returning from an ankle injury in the Panthers' Week 7 win over the Jets, Sanders has caught just three of five targets for 19 yards. However, he still operated as the team's top tight end in Week 8, logging 31 offensive snaps to Tommy Tremble's 28. Sanders played a significant role on Carolina's offense before sustaining an injury, catching 11 of 14 targets for 82 yards over the team's first three games. He's expected to be more involved in the passing game ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Packers, especially if Bryce Young (ankle) returns.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Panthers look for new TE Darren Waller to provide a boost to passing game

Panthers' Bryce Young could see more man-to-man defense after major flop against Seahawks

Panthers' Bryce Young scrambles & finds Ja'Tavion Sanders for go-ahead TD against Buccaneers | NFL Highlights

Young throws 3 TDs, Panthers turn over Stafford 3 times to end Rams' 6-game win streak, 31-28