Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is staring down a ticking clock, folks, and his spot on the roster might be gone next Sunday on cutdown day. This isn’t just about making the squad; it’s about whether he has an NFL future in Carolina at all.
Sanders’ Performance Has Been a Massive Question Mark
In his third NFL season, Sanders just hasn’t locked down that consistent ability to create matchup nightmares for quarterback Bryce Young. When those chances popped up, the 2024 fourth-round draft pick rarely came through. Think about it: 29 career games, and he’s only snagged 62 catches on 77 targets for a mere 532 yards and just two touchdowns. That’s not the impact a team needs from a guy drafted for his size and athleticism, is it?
Last season was particularly rough, with only 190 receiving yards to his name, averaging a measly 6.6 yards per catch. His longest reception was a short 18 yards. Dude’s only 23, and he even shook off some offseason injury concerns, which is commendable, but that’s not saving him from being a potential cutdown day casualty next Sunday. That’s gotta sting, being so young and already facing this kind of pressure.
The Competition Is Red Hot, And Sanders Is Falling Behind
The Panthers are clearly hunting for star power at tight end, and they wasted no time showing it. They went out and signed former Pro Bowler Darren Waller on August 17th, and the word is he’s snatching the TE1 role from Tommy Tremble before the regular season even kicks off. It’ll be curious to see if Waller even takes any snaps in Friday’s preseason finale against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium, though he’s likely active for the joint practice on Wednesday. You know a team is serious when they bring in a nine-year pro like that to shake things up.
Behind Tremble, sophomore Mitchell Evans is really making a name for himself as a solid, reliable blocker and receiver. And let’s not forget special teams ace Feliepe Franks, who has been making “splash plays” all training camp. Sanders just caught one pass for six yards in last Friday’s 34-17 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. You gotta wonder, with all that competition stepping up, where’s the room for him on this roster? Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan, orchestrating his first draft, landed the 6-foot-4, 252-pound Sanders to create those elusive matchup concerns with opposing secondaries. With his size and athleticism, Sanders has been deployed along the line and in the slot during Red Zone situations. He showed flashes as a rookie, catching six passes of at least 20 yards, including a 46-yarder! But then last season? Zip. None. That’s a huge, glaring drop-off, and it’s definitely caught the attention of the front office. Panthers icon Greg Olson remains the last franchise tight end to eclipse the 500-yard milestone. Sanders was supposed to be the guy to follow that legacy.
What’s Next: A Make-or-Break Friday Night
So, all eyes are on that preseason finale against the Houston Texans. Is there any last-minute magic left for Sanders to show the Panthers front office? Can he prove he’s more than just a cutdown day candidate? With Darren Waller taking over the top spot, and young guys like Evans and Franks stepping up big, Sanders’ time in Carolina truly could be running out. This Friday’s game isn’t just a preseason finale, it’s make or break for his future with the team, no doubt. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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