Panthers place TE Ian Thomas on injured reserve

The Carolina Panthers will be without tight end Ian Thomas for more than just their regular-season opener.

As announced by on Saturday afternoon, Thomas has been placed on injured reserve due to a lingering calf issue. The seventh-year passer, who was already ruled out for Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, will now miss at least the next four weeks.

Thomas is just the latest Panther to hit the shelf, as the team is entering the 2024 campaign with a handful of injuries. Carolina now has five players on injured reserve (Thomas, defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy, cornerbacks Anthony Brown and Dane Jackson and safety Sam Franklin Jr.), two players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list (outside linebackers Amaré Barno and D.J. Wonnum) and one player on the reserve/non-football injury list (running back Jonathon Brooks).

Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble will also miss tomorrow’s opener due to a hamstring injury.

Rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders is slated to get the start in his NFL debut.