Next Game
Share Video
Link copied!
Top Ian Thomas News
-
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Lands on IR
Thomas (calf) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Both Thomas and expected backup Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) were both ruled out Friday, which means fourth-round rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders will make his first career start Sunday against the Saints. Thomas wasn't particularly useful from a fantasy perspective last year, but he was a reliable blocker and had played at least 600 snaps from 2020-22. The seven-year veteran won't be eligible to return until early October.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Doesn't expect to play
Thomas (calf) isn't practicing Friday and said he won't play in Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) also is absent from Friday's practice, leaving rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders as the likely No. 1 tight end for his NFL debut. The Panthers have Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson on the roster for depth, and Thomas suggested he could be back as soon as Week 2 against the Chargers.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Remains sidelined Thursday
Thomas (calf) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice.
Thomas has been dealing with the calf issue for over a month now, and back-to-back DNPs to open the practice week would suggest he's on the wrong side of questionable for Week 1. Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) is also dinged up for Carolina, leaving rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders atop the depth chart, followed by Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Fails to practice Wednesday
Thomas (calf) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Thomas injured his calf in early August and was a spectator for the Panthers' first Week 1 practice along with Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back). With Thomas and Tremble sidelined Wednesday, fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson are the healthy tight ends on the active roster. Thomas and Tremble will have two more sessions this week to put themselves on paths to playing Sunday in New Orleans before Carolina potentially rules on both players' availabilities.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Unlikely for Week 1
Thomas (calf) did not practice Monday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Thomas has been sidelined for nearly a month with the injury, and although he was hopeful for a Week 1 return, Newton believes it "seems like a stretch" that the veteran tight end will be able to play Sunday against the Saints. Considering the time Thomas has missed already, he might not be in game shape even if he returns to practice in coming days. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) also questionable, the Panthers could be turning to rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders and veteran Jordan Matthews to handle all the tight-end snaps Sunday.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Injures calf, hopeful for Week 1
Thomas (calf) has suffered a calf injury but is hopeful to be ready for Week 1, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Thomas is currently projected as the third tight end on Carolina's roster behind Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders. Thus, a return to training camp prior to Week 1 would be beneficial for the veteran tight end's aim toward securing a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Still, the 28-year-old has been with the team since 2018 and figures to be more likely than not to make the squad. Thus, expect Carolina to err on the side of caution in regard to bringing him back to practice too early.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Surprisingly busy during OTAs
Thomas caught a surprising number of passes during Carolina's offseason program, ESPN's David Newton reports.
The 2018 fourth-round pick got a lot of snaps and routes early in his career but never improved on a rookie season with 36 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He then had four straight years between 136 and 197 yards, before sinking to five catches for 56 yards last season while playing a career-low 206 snaps. It sounds like Thomas may be a better fit in new coach Dave Canales' scheme, but fantasy value still seems a bit far-fetched for a player with 1,055 yards and four TDs on 2,975 career snaps. The Panthers also have Tommy Tremble and 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders competing for playing time at tight end, with the former better suited to blocking and the latter more of a receiving threat. Sanders is the only one of the bunch that seems to offer any real upside to become a fantasy-worthy pass catcher.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Career-worst campaign
Thomas finished the regular season with five catches on nine targets for 56 yards in 12 games.
Thomas endured the worst campaign of his six-year career, with his five missed games playing a factor. Even when healthy, though, Thomas has long been a blocking tight end, not topping 200 receiving yards since his rookie year. With the Panthers having a potential out from the final year of Thomas' current contract, it remains to be seen whether he'll return to Carolina under a new front office and coaching staff.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Suiting up for Week 16
Thomas (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Thomas will return from a one-game absence caused by an ankle injury. He logged a full practice session Friday, so he should be able to return to his typical role of splitting reps with Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
![]()
-
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Questionable after full practice
Thomas (ankle) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Thomas upgraded to full participation in Friday's practice after a pair of limited sessions, which suggests he's trending in the right direction heading into Sunday's game. With Hayden Hurst (concussion) on IR, Thomas could play a prominent role alongside Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan if Thomas is given the green light to return against Green Bay following a one-game absence.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Logs another limited session
Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Thomas has now practiced for the second consecutive day after missing Carolina's Week 15 win over the Falcons with an ankle issue. The veteran tight end will almost certainly carry an injury designation into the weekend unless he's able to record a full practice session Friday. Thomas' availability will be something to look out for as the week progresses, as Carolina could be without both Tommy Tremble (illness) and Hayden Hurst (concussion) in Week 16.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Gets in limited practice Wednesday
Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Thomas sat out of Sunday's win versus the Falcons due to an ankle injury, but he was able to manage a limited practice to begin the new week. He'll still likely need to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
![]()
-
Panthers' Ian Thomas: Won't play vs. Falcons
Thomas (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus the Falcons.
Thomas will sit out for the fifth time this season in Week 15, this time due to an ankle injury. In his absence, Tommy Tremble will probably see more reps on early downs and around the goal line.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 260 lbs |
| Birthplace: Baltimore, MD |
| Age: 28 |
| School: Indiana |
| Experience: 7 |