Ja'Tavion Sanders, Panthers' tight ends seek more production

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young precisely placed a high-arching, downfield pass to the back corner of the end zone. Open, Tommy Tremble glided into position and reached out. The 26-year-old tight end allowed the spiral to slide through his fingertips.

Defenders on the near sideline celebrated the offense's missed opportunity during Tuesday's NFL training camp practice. Tremble, the No. 1 tight end, jogged back to the next 7-on-7 huddle at the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium.

Earlier, undrafted free agent Chamon Metayer dropped a short screen pass on the final 11-on-11 session.

Tight end production has been lacking for much of the past seven seasons. Greg Olson, who posted three consecutive 1,000-plus-yard campaigns (2014-16), remains the last unit member to record at least 500 yards in a season (2019).

Following Tuesday's NFL training camp practice, Panthers coach Dave Canales said the coaching staff continues facing the positional challenges "play to play.

"Let's just make the ones that are there for us to make. That's what we're counting on. We know we can make those plays and we trust the guys to make them the next time."

Panthers' Ja'Tavion Sanders drops to third on preseason depth chart

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan elected to keep the top four together and declined to engineer major offseason moves, via free agency or the draft.

During their march to the 2025 NFC South title, the Panthers underutilized the tight ends. The room's top four options, Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans and James Mitchell, amassed just 78 combined catches.

Sanders led the unit with 29 catches, but gained only 190 yards and scored one touchdown. Tremble paced the tight ends with 249 receiving yards, catching 27 passes and scoring twice. Evans added 19 passes for 171 yards and two TDs and Mitchell had three catches for 28 yards.

To defend their division title and qualify for the postseason for a second straight season, Young may need to connect more with the tight ends and the unit will need to respond.

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Canales praised Sanders' training camp work, indicating he could develop into a breakout candidate in '26.

"Love the strides he's taken," Canales said. "Showed up in great shape. Really looked like he's worked on his route craft, attacking the ball. He has made some really amazing contested catches this camp.

"Exactly what we hope from him."

Despite taking the second turn, behind Tremble, during positional drills Tuesday, Sanders dropped a spot entering Thursday night's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Scheduled to kick off the NFL exhibition season against the Arizona Cardinals, the Panthers on Tuesday released their first preseason depth chart:

• First string: Tremble
• Second: Evans
• Third: Sanders
• Fourth: Mitchell
• Fifth: Feleipe Franks
• Sixth: Caden Prieskorn/Metayer

With the starters not dressing for the preseason opener, Canales said Tremble will sit out and Sanders (ankle) remained questionable.

"Tommy will not play." Canales said. "J-T, we'll see how the ankle is. (We were) looking to try to get him out there, but we'll see if he's going to be available."

And able to produce.

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