Panthers TE Ja'Tavion Sanders healthy, poised for breakout  

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is recovered from a broken ankle late in the 2025 campaign and eager to establish himself as a starter in 2026.

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders felt blessed.  

Coach Dave Canales on Thursday ordered the players to take an early summer vacation, calling off the final mandatory minicamp practice. After wrapping up a few team-oriented details in the morning, Sanders said he would travel home to Texas for a few weeks to “get around my people.” 

When asked about Canales’ surprise locker-room announcement Thursday, Sanders was ecstatic. 

“Hell, yeah, I’m blessed,” he said. “Most definitely,” adding he plans to spend part of his break at a football camp and Tight End University in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22-25.  
Then? 

“Back to Charlotte,” Sanders said. 

The Panthers will officially report for training camp July 22 for nine practices before participating in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6. 

A 2024 fourth-round draft pick, Sanders, who suffered a Week 3 high ankle sprain and a Week 12 broken ankle last season, finished with 29 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown. After collecting six catches of at least 20 yards as a rookie, he had none last season. 

Sanders said his time on the sideline “changed me in a lot of ways. Changed me for the better. Minor setback, major comeback.

“I was completely healthy before OTAs,” he said. “The trainers definately got me right. I feel better than I ever have. My confidence level has never been higher.” 

It needs to be. 

Panthers pass on adding TE depth 

The Panthers continue searching for their next Greg Olson, who seven seasons ago surpassed 500 receiving yards. No Carolina tight end has reached the milestone since. 

The Panthers did not make any significant offseason moves to upgrade the position, outside of bringing back special teams ace Feleipe Franke. The top four depth chart remained the same as most of 2025: Tommy Tremble, Sanders, Mitchell Evans and veteran James Mitchell.

Entering April’s NFL Draft, national media insiders linked the Panthers to Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The situation became moot when the New York Jets selected him at No. 16 overall, leaving general manager Dan Morgan an opportunity to solidify the offensive line long term with first-round pick Monroe Freeling. 

“There was chatter about drafting Sadiq, but it was a confidence builder that (Morgan) believes in us,” Sanders said. “He sees all the work we put in. We honestly have one of the closest rooms, friendship-wise. We talk to each other every day. Honestly, anyone can have a breakout year. Anytime anyone steps out on the field, there is no drop off.” 

Retooled skillset 

Canales has seen a difference in Sanders during the three stages of offseason workouts: “He looks faster ... he looks stronger,” Canales said, and more confident after suffering his “first ever serious football injury.” 
While recovering from the ankle injury and rehabilitation, Sanders focused on refining his skill set.  

“I think I worked on everything,” he said. “Started with my footwork and hand placement, the way I was getting in and out of my (route) breaks. The way I use leverage. I feel stronger, faster. My hips are looser. I put in the work to get back. It was exactly what I needed.” 

Sanders admitted to being humbled by his first two NFL seasons and missing time because of injury. 

“Getting through that, mentally,” Sanders said, “it showed that football can be taken away. I don’t take it for granted any more.” 

Sanders is already eager to suit up for the preseason, starting with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Carolina opens the regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13. 

“The Hall of Fame Game is going to be an amazing experience,” Sanders said. “It’ll give us all kinds of advantages and make us game-ready before other teams.” 

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