Who Should I Start? Tommy Tremble or James Mitchell

Wednesday, June 4, 12:57 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) is not expected to return by training camp at the end of July after having back surgery, according to head coach Dave Canales. Barring a setback, the team is hoping to get Tremble back sometime during the preseason. The Panthers are going to bring the 25-year-old along slowly after he had a back procedure in the middle of May. With Tremble sidelined, Ja'Tavion Sanders and rookie fifth-rounder Mitchell Evans will see more reps in OTAs and mandatory minicamp this month. When healthy, Tremble profiles as more of a blocking tight end, which doesn't make him much of an option in fantasy leagues. The former third-rounder (83rd overall) in 2021 out of Notre Dame matched his career-high with 23 catches last year for a career-high 234 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts).

Tuesday, January 21, 10:17 PM

The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end James Mitchell and outside linebacker Boogie Basham to Reserve/Futures deals. Mitchell was a former fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in 2022 out of Virginia Tech. He was with the Lions on their practice squad in 2024 and will now try to make Carolina's active 53-man roster for the 2025 season. In 30 games over three seasons in the NFL, he has only recorded 13 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown in Detroit. Basham, meanwhile, was a second-round selection by the Buffalo Bills in 2021 out of Wake Forest. He'll reunite with general manager Dan Morgan, who was in Buffalo's front office when he was drafted. In 40 games over his four years in the NFL, Basham has 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the New York Giants in 2023.