Stephen Sullivan

Carolina Panthers
Tight End
Carolina Panthers
Tight End

Stephen Sullivan News

Inks new deal with Carolina

The Panthers re-signed Sullivan to a new contract Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan was set to enter the 2023 offseason as an exclusive-rights free agent. While the specifics of this new contract have not been specified, the 26-year-old will now be back for at least one more season with the team. Sullivan accumulated two receptions (on six targets) for 46 yards and a touchdown while playing 121 of 297 snaps on offense over 14 games this season. He figures to reprise a role as the Panthers' No. 3 tight end behind Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble in 2023.

Jan 9, 2023 9:51 PM EST


Ready to face Bucs

Sullivan (ankle) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan was limited in Thursday's practice due to an ankle issue, but it looks like he's good to go for Sunday's divisional road game. The 26-year-old regularly handles a depth offensive role for the Panthers, one that has seen him record just two catches in 12 appearances this year.

Dec 30, 2022 10:11 AM EST



Limited on Thursday's report

Sullivan (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, per the team's official site.

Analysis: After practicing without limitations Wednesday, Sullivan saw his reps capped during Thursday's session due to an ankle issue, ultimately putting his Week 17 availability in jeopardy. He'll have one more shot to ramp back up to full speed Friday, but Tommy Tremble (hip) would presumably be in line for an expanded backup role behind Ian Thomas on Sunday against the Buccaneers should the 26-year-old miss any time.

Dec 29, 2022 12:24 PM EST


Available Week 12

Sullivan (illness) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Sullivan missed Friday's practice with an illness to earn the questionable tag, but he's past the ailment and has been cleared to take the field Sunday. He has two catches for 46 yards in eight games this season and should continue to work behind Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble at tight end.

Nov 27, 2022 9:12 AM EST


Questionable after Friday's DNP

Sullivan (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Sullivan practiced without limitations Wednesday and Thursday before coming down with an illness and missing practice Friday. There seems to be a bug going around in Carolina's tight end room, as Ian Thomas is also questionable due to an illness, leaving Tommy Tremble as the team's only healthy tight end heading into the weekend.

Nov 25, 2022 11:19 AM EST



Full-go at Monday's jog-through

Sullivan (illness) was listed as a full participant Monday on Carolina's estimated injury report, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Carolina didn't practice in full Monday, but it's still a positive sign that Sullivan was estimated to be a full participant after he missed Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Bengals due to an illness. However, his availability for Thursday's clash against Atlanta isn't likely to ring any bells in fantasy, as Sullivan has logged only two catches on three targets over six contests this season.

Nov 7, 2022 3:14 PM EST


Out against Bengals

Sullivan (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan was unable to practice all week due to illness and will be inactive for the third time this season. His absence isn't likely to have a major effect on the offense as he has only three targets and two catches in six games on the campaign.

Nov 5, 2022 5:21 PM EST


Unlikely to play in Week 9

Sullivan (illness) is doubtful to play Sunday versus the Bengals.

Analysis: Sullivan failed to participate at any of the Panthers' practices this week while dealing with an illness, making it unlikely that he will be ready to go for Week 9 against Cincinnati. If the tight end is absent from the contest, Ian Thomas could pick up a few extra offensive snaps.

Nov 4, 2022 9:39 AM EST


Missing practice again

Sullivan (illness) was a non-participant in practice Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Sullivan also missed practice Wednesday due to the illness, which leaves him currently questionable for Sunday's game with the Bengals. If Sullivan is unable to recover in time to play, the Panthers may need to bump up Colin Thompson from the practice squad. If not, they'll roll with just Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas at tight end.

Nov 3, 2022 10:03 AM EST


Full practice Friday

Sullivan (back) was a full participant at Friday's practice ahead the Panthers' Week 6 game against the Rams, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Analysis: Sullivan will be ready to go for Sunday's matchup with Los Angeles after logging a full practice Friday. With Baker Mayfield (ankle) unlikely to play, the tight end faces uphill odds to build off his one reception this season.

Oct 14, 2022 9:35 AM EST


Limited again Thursday

Sullivan (back) was a limited participant in the Panthers' practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan returned to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday after being held out of practice last Thursday and Friday with a back injury. While the exact nature and severity of this issue are still unclear, it proved significant enough to keep him sidelined for Carolina's Week 5 loss to San Francisco. Sullivan recorded the first reception of his NFL career in Week 2, but he's played just six offensive snaps over three games so far this season.

Oct 13, 2022 1:05 PM EST


Ruled out for Week 5

Sullivan (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Analysis: Sullivan was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session, but he was unable to take the field Thursday or Friday due to his back injury. He'll miss at least one game, while his next chance to suit up will be Oct. 16 against the Rams.

Oct 7, 2022 7:55 AM EST


Sits out Thursday

Sullivan (back) did not participate during the Panthers' practice Thursday.

Analysis: Sullivan appears to have picked up a back injury after logging a full practice Wednesday, though the exact nature and severity of this issue are unclear. The third-year tight end recorded his lone catch of the season in Week 2, and he has played 40 of his 47 total snaps on special teams over three games. Sullivan will have once more practice to improve his status before Sunday's game against San Francisco.

Oct 6, 2022 12:32 PM EST


Records first career catch

Sullivan played four of the Panthers' 54 offensive snaps in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Giants and turned his lone target into a 13-yard reception.

Analysis: A healthy scratch Week 1, Sullivan dressed as Carolina's third tight end Week 2. Though Ian Thomas (40 snaps, three targets) served as the Panthers' clear top option at the position against the Giants, Sullivan wasn't far behind No. 2 tight end Tommy Tremble (nine snaps) in terms of usage. Even if he jumps Tremble on the depth chart and if Thomas misses time, Sullivan likely won't rank as a high priority in a weak Carolina passing game.

Sep 21, 2022 8:32 AM EST


Signed to Panthers' active roster

Sullivan was signed to the active roster from the Panthers' practice squad Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Analysis: The tight end was active for each of the Panthers' last two contests, failing to reel in his only target over 24 offensive snaps. Sullivan will operate as a reserve option behind Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas as the Panthers wrap up their season Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Jan 8, 2022 2:07 PM EST


Elevated from practice squad

Sullivan was elevated from the Panthers' practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan also joined the active roster for Sunday's Week 16 loss to the Buccaneers and failed to secure his lone target. He should serve in a depth role once again in Sunday's matchup against New Orleans.

Dec 30, 2021 11:10 AM EST


Heads back to practice squad

Sullivan reverted to the Panthers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Analysis: Sullivan was active for the first time this season in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers. He was on the field for 17 offensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps, but he was unable to haul in his only target of the game.

Dec 27, 2021 9:43 PM EST


Heads to waivers

Sullivan was waived by the Panthers on Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan spent most of the 2020 season with the Seahawks' practice squad, suiting up in just one game. Though the LSU product is listed as a tight end, he has tried switching to defensive end in the past and could experiment on the practice squad again.

Aug 31, 2021 6:44 PM EST


Off COVID-19 list

The Panthers activated Sullivan (undisclosed) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sullivan can attend team activities now that he's fully cleared the league's COVID protocols. The 2020 seventh-round pick, who appeared in one game with the Seahawks as a rookie, is vying for an end-of-roster spot with the Panthers.

Aug 9, 2021 10:52 AM EST


Links with Carolina

The Panthers signed Sullivan (abdomen) to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Will Bryan of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Sullivan only appeared in one game with the Seahawks as a rookie, a Week 8 contest against the 49ers in which he played one snap on special teams. The 2020 seventh-round pick should at least now be fully recovered from November sports hernia surgery, so he'll get a chance to develop with the Panthers this offseason.

Feb 3, 2021 1:23 PM EST


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