Panthers Place Key Offensive Weapon on IR Just Before Season Start

The Carolina Panthers have placed veteran tight end Ian Thoams on the injured reserve.

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Thomas has been dealing with a calf injury early in a training camp and hasn’t practiced since. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared via Twitter/X.

Thomas won’t be eligible to return until early October.

In response to that move, the Panthers have signed tight end Feleipe Franks off the practice squad. The Panthers also waived cornerback Keenan Isaac to make room on the roster.

Additionally, the Panthers also elevated running back Mike Boone and cornerback Lonnie Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster for their season opener on Sunday.

Franks is a former quarterback at the University of Florida who turned tight end in his time with the Atlanta Falcons. This move gives the Panthers some depth at the position since veteran Timmy Tremble has also been ruled out this week.

In addition, Panthers fourth-round rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders will make his first career start Sunday to open the season against the New Orleans Saints. Thomas has not been useful for the majority of his career, but he is a reliable blocker and has played at least 600 snaps from 2020-22.

Thomas has spent his entire seven-year career with the Panthers after they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft with the No. 101 overall pick. The 28-year-old has recorded 116 receptions on 179 targets with 1,055 receiving yards and four touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards per reception in 94 career games and 52 starts.

As a rookie, Thomas signed a four-year contract worth $3.20 million. Prior to his time in the NFL, Thomas was a standout at Indiana.

Thomas transferred from Nassau Community College in 2016 and joined Indiana for his junior year. In his first year at Indiana, he acted as a blocking tight end and recorded only three catches in all 13 games. However, in his senior year, his role grew, especially after a tremendous game against Georgia Southern. Overall, he recorded 25 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year and was invited to the 2018 Senior Bowl.

The Panthers are coming off a horrendous 2023 season, recording a 2-15 record. It would have been worthy of the No. 1 pick, but that pick belonged to the Chicago Bears, who selected quarterback Caleb Williams.

Carolina will now look to improve from worst to first in the division, something that has been done many times.

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