Tommy

Tremble

Tremble came into the contest listed as questionable but ultimately suited up, catching all three looks on a day the offense flowed almost entirely through Diontae Johnson and Chuba Hubbard. Tremble’s fantasy value remains low moving forward as the Panthers turn their attention to the Bengals at home in Week 4.

Tremble missed Week 1 because of the injuries and was limited in practice for all three sessions this week. Ja’Tavion Sanders drew the start in his absence but only caught one pass. Given the dismal state of the Panthers’ passing attack, no Carolina tight end is on the fantasy radar for Week 2.

Tremble has been limited in back-to-back practices for the Panthers. The 24-year-old missed Week 1 with his issues, but he has a good chance of making his season debut against the Chargers in Week 2. Jadeveon Clowney was also limited for the Panthers on Thursday with his ankle issue, and punter Johnny Hekker with a back injury.

EDGE Jadeveon Clowney missed practice with an ankle issue. Ja’Tavion Sanders got the start with Tremble sidelined for Week 1. He ran plenty of routes but only caught one pass for four years. With Tremble’s return imminent, Sanders can be sent back to the waiver wire.

Fellow tight end Ian Thomas was also ruled out. Head coach Dave Canales told reporters rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders will draw the start. His biggest competition for snaps is Jordan Matthews, the former wide receiver. That should result in plenty of reps for Sanders in his first game. The abundance of routes puts Sanders in the streaming TE2 conversation versus the Saints.

Both Tremble and backup TE Ian Thomas (calf) missed the Panthers’ first two practices this week, putting their Sunday availability in doubt. Fourth-round rookie TE Ja’Tavion Sanders is theoretically in line for starting duties in his first-ever NFL game.

Tremble told reporters on Monday that he was hopeful to play in Week 1 against the Saints. However, a DNP for the Panthers’ first practice session plus the addition of a back injury on the report don’t paint an optimistic picture. Fellow tight end Ian Thomas (calf) has been ruled out already. If Tremble follows suit, rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders will get the start and could dominate the snaps in his first NFL game. Sanders would be a low-floor TE2 if Tremble is ruled out.

When asked about the hamstring injury that kept him out for much of training camp, Tremble said, “I feel good.” The fourth-year tight end is listed atop the Panthers’ depth chart to start the season and has caught 62 passes for 548 yards and seven touchdowns in 49 career games. Even if he’s active, Tremble won’t have much fantasy upside to open the year.

With Tremble shut down, the Panthers signed tight end Feleipe Franks. Tremble has reportedly been dealing with a hamstring injury that hasn’t quite worked itself out. Rather than force the issue, head coach Dave Canales has opted to sideline Tremble in hopes of him reaching a full recovery. Tremble caught 23 passes for 194 yards and three scores last season and is battling for snaps with rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders and veteran Ian Thomas.

It was only the fifth time Tremble has had at least two receptions this season. He’ll end the year with 23 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the dead-on-arrival Carolina offense. The athletic Tremble could be interesting if the Panthers improve this offseason.