Sanders caught three of his five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win against the Falcons. 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.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Ja'Tavion Sanders news
Team
Carolina Panthers
Birthdate
3/27/2003 (21)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 252 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 4; Pk (CAR)
Birthplace
Napa, CA, USA
Position
TE
College
Texas
Career History
Carolina Panthers
2024-Present
(1 season)
Sanders caught three of his five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win against the Falcons. 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.
Sanders failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 30-14 loss to the Cowboys. 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.
Sanders failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles. 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 of 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.
Sanders (neck) is listed as active Sunday at Philadelphia, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports. 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.
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. 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.
Sanders (neck) was limited at Thursday's practice. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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).
Sanders (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. 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.