Who Should I Start? Chris Manhertz or Ian Thomas

Friday, March 15, 3:42 PM

Free-agent tight end Chris Manhertz is signing with the New York Giants, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Giants have Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger on the roster and signed former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll this week, so the position is getting crowded behind Waller. Manhertz has caught just 26 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns in his eight-year career with the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos, so he will not be on the fantasy radar in 2024. He is primarily a blocking tight end, and he could be buried on the depth chart.

Saturday, September 7, 1:42 PM

The Carolina Panthers placed tight end Ian Thomas (calf) on Injured Reserve on Saturday after already ruling him out for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. In addition to putting Thomas on IR, the team also waived cornerback Keenan Isaac and signed tight end Feleipe Franks and defensive tackle Jayden Peevy to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad. Thomas will now miss at least the first four weeks of the 2024 season after being sidelined since early in training camp with a calf injury. Tommy Tremble (back, hamstring) has already been ruled out for Week 1 as well, so Carolina is entering the regular season already thin at the TE position, meaning rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders will mostly likely be thrust into the top pass-catching role right away.