The Carolina Panthers suffered an ugly loss to end their regular-season home slate. And their problems started on the very first offensive play.
Now, they will be without promising tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders in Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and way beyond that.
Sanders was blocking downfield when running back Rico Dowdle fell onto the back of his lower leg, and the concerns were immediate. The 2024 fourth-round pick was helped off the field and went into the medical tent before being carted into the locker room. He was immediately ruled out for the rest of Carolina's game against the Seattle Seahawks, and Dave Canales had an even graver update to share during his postgame media availability.