Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) suffered a broken ankle during Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Dave Kanales. He will undergo surgery during the upcoming week. This injury will shut down Sanders for the final week of the regular season and presumably all of the playoffs, should Carolina qualify. He ends the year with just 29 catches for 190 yards and one touchdown through 13 games. It was a disappointing campaign for the tight end out of Texas, who showed promise as a rookie but evidently wasn't able to take a second-year leap in 2025. Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and James Mitchell will step up as the Panthers' top tight ends going forward.
Dec 28, 2025 5:08 PM EST
The Carolina Panthers ruled out tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) from returning to Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. In an ugly scene, Sanders was engaged as a blocker when running back Rico Dowdle fell into the back of his leg. The Panthers quickly ruled Sanders out, leaving Tommy Tremble likely to see an increase in snaps. The second-year tight end from Texas was having a so-so year from a receiving perspective with 29 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown in 12 games as a secondary pass-catcher for quarterback Bryce Young.
Dec 28, 2025 1:48 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders caught two passes for nine yards in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also scored his first touchdown since Week 10 of the 2024 season and finished the game with 8.9 PPR points. It was Sanders' highest fantasy total since Week 2, and he also logged the most snaps of all Carolina TEs (57%). The Panthers will take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. The Seahawks rank 29th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position this season. Despite a great matchup, Sanders is not worth consideration for fantasy championship lineups. Sanders has totaled 5+ targets only twice this year, and he only has one receiving TD
Dec 27, 2025 2:26 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders had a quiet fantasy day, but was a notable contributor in the Panthers' narrow 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers. The Carolina TE had two receptions for nine yards, but also caught his first touchdown pass since Week 10 of the 2024 season. Sanders played the most snaps of all Panthers TEs (57%) and totaled 8.9 PPR points, his highest fantasy total since Week 2. The Panthers will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. Seattle ranked 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 16. Although Sanders has a decent matchup against Seattle, he does not see enough volume to consider him in Week 17. Weeks 2 and 10 are the only two times this season that Sanders had 5+ targets in a game. Fantasy players should ignore Sanders and the other Carolina TEs for the fantasy football championship in Week 17.
Dec 22, 2025 12:30 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders finished Week 15 against the Saints with two receptions for five yards. Sanders was mainly utilized as a blocker and played on 53% of the snaps. In 11 games played this season, Sanders has averaged 4.1 PPR Points Per Game. The Panthers will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. The Buccaneers rank 27th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position this year. Despite a great matchup, Sanders is still not worthy of a roster spot during the fantasy playoffs. Sanders has totaled 5+ targets in a game only twice this season, and he has no receiving touchdowns.
Dec 20, 2025 11:45 AM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders did not see a single target in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams. In that game, Sanders was mainly utilized as a blocker and played on 48% of the snaps. In 10 games played this year, Sanders has averaged 4.3 PPR Points Per Game. New Orleans ranks 12th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position. Notably, Sanders had his second-best performance of the season against the Saints in Week 10, when he totaled 8.2 PPR points with five receptions on 32 receiving yards. Still, Sanders does not see enough consistent volume to warrant being rostered during the fantasy playoffs. Sanders has been targeted 5+ times in a game only twice this season, and he has no receiving touchdowns.
Dec 13, 2025 12:36 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders was a complete afterthought in the Panthers' passing game in Week 12. The Carolina TE caught his only target, which resulted in six yards. For the first time since Week 8, Sanders played the most snaps of all Panthers TEs at 57%. In nine games played this year, Sanders has averaged 4.7 PPR Points Per Game. Week 13 brings a decent matchup for Sanders against the Los Angeles Rams, who rank 19th in the league in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs. However, Sanders will not be able to take advantage of the draw. In 25 games played in two seasons in his NFL career, Sanders has caught one single TD pass, a prime stat that signifies why he is not on the fantasy radar for Week 13.
Nov 28, 2025 11:36 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders logged another mediocre fantasy performance in Week 11. The Carolina TE had four receptions for 22 yards and totaled 6.2 PPR points. Week 12 brings a solid fantasy matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who rank 25th in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed to TEs this year. However, Sanders just doesn't produce enough to take advantage of the matchup. He should not be rostered in most fantasy leagues, even as a backup. In 24 games played over the first two seasons of his NFL career, Sanders has caught one TD pass. That sort of TD total just isn't acceptable for a fantasy TE.
Nov 22, 2025 7:26 PM EST
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders delivered another unimpressive performance in Carolina's 30-27 win against the Falcons. He caught all four of his targets for 22 yards and totaled just 6.4 PPR Fantasy Points. This marks the fourth week in a row in which Sanders caught all of his targets, but he has also never been targeted more than five times in a game during that span. The Panthers will next take on the San Francisco 49ers, who ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed (15.68) over the last four weeks leading up to Week 11 and allowed 115 receiving yards to Trey McBride on Sunday. Despite the favorable matchup for Week 12, Sanders has not shown enough results throughout the year to be considered a viable streaming or fill-in option.
Nov 17, 2025 11:33 AM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders had his best game since Week 2 vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 10, although the numbers were still mediocre. The Carolina tight end had five receptions, 32 yards, and registered 8.2 PPR Fantasy Points. Carolina's Week 11 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons presents a nightmare scenario statistically for Sanders. The Falcons rank second in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed against the TE position this season. Atlanta is one of only three teams in the league to give up only one receiving TD to TEs while also surrendering the second-fewest receiving yards (275) to the position this year. With one of the worst matchups for his position, Sanders should be ignored by fantasy players who are looking for a TE to stream this week.
Nov 14, 2025 11:59 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders had his best game since Week 2 in Carolina's 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 10, but his totals were still underwhelming. The Carolina tight end caught all five of his targets for 32 yards and logged 8.2 PPR fantasy points. Despite being tied for the most receptions of all pass catchers on the Panthers, Tetairoa McMillan still outperformed him in yardage, 60 to 32. Carolina will next take on the Atlanta Falcons, who ranked first in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs (6.43) in the four weeks leading up to Week 10. The second-year TE has not proven he can overcome the daunting matchup. With one of the worst matchups for his position, fantasy players can continue to scroll past his name when looking for a streaming or fill-in TE.
Nov 10, 2025 12:31 PM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders has barely contributed to the Panthers' passing game this season. In six games played, Sanders has 16 receptions for 116 yards while averaging 4.4 PPR Fantasy Points Per Game. Last week against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders caught his only target for five yards. Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints in Week 10, who allow 14.54 points to tight ends, ranking 19th in the league. But Sanders has not shown us any reasons to believe he can take advantage of the matchup. Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers' top pass-catcher, was limited in Friday's practice with a hamstring injury and is questionable to start on Sunday. Although more targets would be available for other Carolina pass-catchers if McMillan does not play, the fantasy outlook for Sanders does not change much at all. He has not delivered enough results to be worthy of any consideration. Sanders is not rosterable in all formats until further notice.
Nov 8, 2025 1:33 AM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders has been a complete afterthought in the Panthers' passing attack all season. In five games played, Sanders has just 14 receptions for 111 yards and is averaging 5.0 PPR fantasy points per game. Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Sanders caught all three of his targets for only 19 yards and 4.9 PPR fantasy points. This week, Carolina will face the Green Bay Packers, who allow 17.93 fantasy points against tight ends, ranking 30th of all NFL teams this year. Even though the matchup looks favorable, Sanders hasn't delivered enough to be worthy of any fantasy consideration. Bryce Young is back after missing last week's game due to an ankle injury, which can help Carolina's passing offense, but Sanders still likely won't contribute enough for fantasy purposes. Although this is an excellent matchup for tight ends, Sanders is not rosterable outside of Dynasty leagues, and his appeal in that format is dwindling.
Nov 1, 2025 12:47 AM EST
Ja'Tavion Sanders has yet to become a factor in the Carolina passing game this season. This year, Sanders has no touchdowns and only logged over two receptions and 50 receiving yards in one of his four games played. The second-year tight end was targeted twice, but had no receptions in last week's contest, which was his first since returning from an ankle injury that caused him to miss four games. Carolina will face the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed 5.6 fantasy points per game to tight ends, which is second-best in the league this season. Considering his underwhelming numbers, Sanders is unrosterable in any formats outside of Dynasty leagues until further notice.
Oct 24, 2025 11:04 PM EST
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup versus the Jets. The 22-year-old was trending in the right direction after logging full practice sessions on Thursday and Friday, so he'll make his return after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 3 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Sanders had 11 catches (14 targets) for 92 yards before going on the shelf. While he hasn't been productive throughout his career, desperate fantasy managers can look in his direction against a weak Jets defense. Sanders' return should mean less work for Tommy Tremble, who had four grabs for 39 yards in the Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Oct 18, 2025 8:04 PM EST
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) was upgraded from a limited participant in Wednesday's practice to a full participant on Thursday, suggesting that he's on the right track to return for a Week 7 tilt against the New York Jets. As long as the 22-year-old doesn't suffer a setback with his high-ankle sprain in Friday's practice, he'll have a good shot to put an end to his three-game absence. If Sanders is back out on the field this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, he should operate as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end, moving Tommy Tremble back into a blocking role. The Jets have allowed a league-high six touchdowns to the TE position this year, too, which would put Sanders immediately onto the TE2 streaming radar if he makes his return. Before his ankle injury, Sanders caught 11 of 14 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns in three games.
Oct 16, 2025 3:45 PM EST
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) was listed as limited in the team's Wednesday practice report. Sanders has missed three straight games as he continues to nurse an ankle issue, but he is trending in the right direction with a practice to begin the week. Sanders was productive in the three games he played, catching 11 of 14 targets for 92 yards. If he's unable to go again in Week 7, the tight end snaps will be mixed again between Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and James Mitchell.
Oct 15, 2025 4:41 PM EST
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the wrong direction, according to reporting from ESPN's Adam Schefter. Indeed, the team has confirmed that Sanders won't play on Sunday afternoon. The 22-year-old is headed for his third consecutive absence, leaving Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and James Mitchell in line to earn increased snaps once again.
Oct 12, 2025 11:57 AM EST
ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) is unlikely to play in his team's home outing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Sanders' practice participation was up and down this week, leading up to the Panthers' matchup with Dallas, with a full session on Thursday being bookended by two limited ones. Per Schefter, he'll need another week to recover. Teammates Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans have operated as Carolina's first and second option at TE, respectively, in Sanders' absence, and they figure to do so again Sunday against the Cowboys. However, neither project to be a particularly enticing option for fantasy.
Oct 12, 2025 12:41 AM EST
The Carolina Panthers have listed tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) as questionable to play in the Week 6 tilt against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Joe Person. Sanders was limited in Wednesday's practice, was able to practice in full on Thursday, and was then limited again on Friday. The 22-year-old is attempting to return from a high-ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined for the last two weeks. Sanders will test out his ankle during pre-game warmups on Sunday and is being treated as a game-time decision this weekend. Carolina could get both Sanders and receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) back, but the offense will be without running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) for a second straight week. Tommy Tremble has seen more pass-game looks at tight end with Sanders out the last couple of weeks, but if Sanders returns on Sunday, he should step right back into his TE1 in Carolina.
Oct 10, 2025 1:13 PM EST