As the Carolina Panthers gear up for their regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints, rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders embraces a personal ritual of gratitude on the field. With uncertainty surrounding the availability of veteran tight ends Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas due to injuries, Sanders is preparing to take on a potentially significant role. He expresses excitement rather than pressure, crediting his injured teammates for their mentorship and support. Meanwhile, the team is also monitoring other players, including pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who missed practice due to illness.
The tight end position's depth remains a concern, with both Tremble and Thomas uncertain for Week 1. Their absence could place excessive focus on a rookie like Sanders, who has yet to prove himself in regular-season play.
The Panthers will finalize their active roster ahead of the game, with decisions on whether to elevate practice squad players like Feleipe Franks expected by Saturday. Additionally, the coaching staff will solidify roles for coordinators during game day.
Sanders’ ability to step up in a high-stakes situation reveals the importance of resilience and adaptability in professional sports, while the team must navigate injuries strategically to establish early momentum in the season.
CHARLOTTE — Ja'Tavion Sanders has developed a ritual of sorts in his short NFL career. Ahead of the Panthers' opening preseason game against the Patriots, the rookie tight end wandered out early to the field, stopped on the 40-yard line and took a moment to appreciate what it meant to be there.
"Just going on the 40, giving my praise to God, because without Him I wouldn't be here as well and He gave me the ability to play the game I love so dearly," Sanders shared.
He repeated the process the following two preseason games. Always heading to the field on his own, always reflecting, always the 40-yard line – a crucial part of the process that even he doesn't know the reasoning behind – "I don't know why I did, it was just, I don't know," Sanders tried to explain. "I don't know why I did it, but since I did that first game, I've been doing it the rest of the first preseason game, so I will make it a pregame ritual."
He'll do the same this weekend in New Orleans, as the Panthers open their 2024 regular season against the divisional rival Saints. In most situations, a rookie tight end, while wanting to keep up their routine, wouldn't be facing a season opener with as much anticipation as Sanders. And to be fair, he is actively working to keep any butterflies suppressed.
"I wouldn't say pressure at all," he promised. "At the end of the day, we just going out there playing football, something I've been doing since a little kid. I'm definitely excited."
While he may not feel any pressure, there will undoubtedly be more attention on the former Texas pass-catcher, with the possibility to receive a majority of the tight end snaps and targets.
"Still working on making sure we get good eyes on them. How much can we expect for them to be available," Canales said of the veteran duo's workload as of now. "Trying to stay away from timelines and all those things as we go into the week. But it's definitely something that we've been on for a couple of weeks now, you know, so I'm really counting on those guys."
Even if they aren't on the field though, Sanders said their impact will be exhibited.
"Even though them guys have been hurt, they've been big brothers to me, coaches to me and I don't think I'd be the position I am if it weren't for those guys being so helpful," Sanders said. "So I'm definitely grateful for the guys I have in my room."
If neither Thomas nor Tremble are available on Sunday though, that leaves just Sanders and veteran Jordan Matthews, who was elevated to the 53-man roster last week, on the active roster for the tight end unit. The Panthers currently have Feleipe Franks – a converted quarterback who spent two seasons with the Falcons — on the practice squad, and he could be elevated as the third tight end if needed.
If teams elevate their practice squad players for the game day roster, it happens on Saturday. For Franks, that means a week of practicing while not knowing what Sunday will look like. It's a lot of uncertainty, but for Franks, when nothing is known, he must simply do what he already knows.
"You can't fear the unknown," Franks preached. "I just think as long as you stay in a routine, for me at least, as long as you stay in a routine, nothing's ever new. Nothing's ever surprising.
"'Oh, I may take this many reps this week.' As long as you're in a routine and you do the same thing, week in and week out and prepare the right way, I think it's an easy transition, whether you're up or you're not up."
The Panthers will take to the practice field three more times this week before leaving for New Orleans.
— Pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney was not at practice on Monday. Dave Canales attributed the absence to illness but didn't seem concerned about the OLB missing any length of time.
"Just wanted to play (safe)," Canales explained after practice. "He came in, not feeling great. So, we just want to keep him away from the rest of the group as we get closer to the game. And we'll get him healthy and he'll hopefully he'll be back out there to practice on Wednesday."
The Panthers took the weekend off (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) ahead of jumping into Week 1 preparation on Monday. However, Monday's practice was more a welcome back, than any heavy game-planning.
— After three preseason games, Canales and staff have a plan – and a seating chart – for the regular season. All coordinators will be on the field, the head coach revealed Monday. That means offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and special teams coordinator Tracy Smith.
Other coaches will be "helping upstairs, as well as with substitutions on the field," Canales shared.
Since Canales is the primary offensive play-caller, there was question as to whether or not Idzik would remain in the box or on the sidelines. And some defensive coordinators prefer to have the bird's eye view. But Canales wanted his trio of coordinators in front of the players.
"I think it's really important as we go through series, particularly after good drives and bad drives, we're able to collect information, be able to troubleshoot things and also the players can feel the plan, feel the communication and the focus of the coach," Canales explained. "I think it's really important for the coordinator."
— The Panthers utilized a 17th practice squad spot available to teams who sign an International Player, bringing in wide receiver Praise Olatoke on Monday.
Olatoke was born in Nigeria and grew up in Scotland. His formative years were spent as a sprinter and rugby player, the former earning him a spot on the track and field team at Ohio State. He earned first-team All-Big Ten as a Buckeye in 2022, running a 10.27 in the 100-meters.
During his time in Columbus, Olatoke joined the club football team, combining his speed and rugby skills to learn the game of American football. He spent time with the Chargers this offseason.
Asked what jumped out about Olatoke, Canales quickly responded, "speed."
Beyond that, "he's got a great frame. Just really looking forward to seeing him out there flying around," Canales continued.
"He's on our practice squad currently, so I'm excited to just kind of see him develop and see what he can become."
View photos from the Panthers' practice as the team prepares to take on the New Orleans Saints.
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