Thomas (calf) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas has been dealing with the calf issue for over a month now, and back-to-back DNPs to open the practice week would suggest he's on the wrong side of questionable for Week 1. Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) is also dinged up for Carolina, leaving rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders atop the depth chart, followed by Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson.

Thomas (calf) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas injured his calf in early August and was a spectator for the Panthers' first Week 1 practice along with Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back). With Thomas and Tremble sidelined Wednesday, fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson are the healthy tight ends on the active roster. Thomas and Tremble will have two more sessions this week to put themselves on paths to playing Sunday in New Orleans before Carolina potentially rules on both players' availabilities.

Thomas (calf) did not practice Monday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas has been sidelined for nearly a month with the injury, and although he was hopeful for a Week 1 return, Newton believes it "seems like a stretch" that the veteran tight end will be able to play Sunday against the Saints. Considering the time Thomas has missed already, he might not be in game shape even if he returns to practice in coming days. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) also questionable, the Panthers could be turning to rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders and veteran Jordan Matthews to handle all the tight-end snaps Sunday.

Thomas (calf) has suffered a calf injury but is hopeful to be ready for Week 1, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas is currently projected as the third tight end on Carolina's roster behind Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders. Thus, a return to training camp prior to Week 1 would be beneficial for the veteran tight end's aim toward securing a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Still, the 28-year-old has been with the team since 2018 and figures to be more likely than not to make the squad. Thus, expect Carolina to err on the side of caution in regard to bringing him back to practice too early.

Thomas caught a surprising number of passes during Carolina's offseason program, ESPN's David Newton reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2018 fourth-round pick got a lot of snaps and routes early in his career but never improved on a rookie season with 36 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He then had four straight years between 136 and 197 yards, before sinking to five catches for 56 yards last season while playing a career-low 206 snaps. It sounds like Thomas may be a better fit in new coach Dave Canales' scheme, but fantasy value still seems a bit far-fetched for a player with 1,055 yards and four TDs on 2,975 career snaps. The Panthers also have Tommy Tremble and 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders competing for playing time at tight end, with the former better suited to blocking and the latter more of a receiving threat. Sanders is the only one of the bunch that seems to offer any real upside to become a fantasy-worthy pass catcher.

Thomas finished the regular season with five catches on nine targets for 56 yards in 12 games.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas endured the worst campaign of his six-year career, with his five missed games playing a factor. Even when healthy, though, Thomas has long been a blocking tight end, not topping 200 receiving yards since his rookie year. With the Panthers having a potential out from the final year of Thomas' current contract, it remains to be seen whether he'll return to Carolina under a new front office and coaching staff.

Thomas (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas will return from a one-game absence caused by an ankle injury. He logged a full practice session Friday, so he should be able to return to his typical role of splitting reps with Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan.

Thomas (ankle) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas upgraded to full participation in Friday's practice after a pair of limited sessions, which suggests he's trending in the right direction heading into Sunday's game. With Hayden Hurst (concussion) on IR, Thomas could play a prominent role alongside Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan if Thomas is given the green light to return against Green Bay following a one-game absence.

Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas has now practiced for the second consecutive day after missing Carolina's Week 15 win over the Falcons with an ankle issue. The veteran tight end will almost certainly carry an injury designation into the weekend unless he's able to record a full practice session Friday. Thomas' availability will be something to look out for as the week progresses, as Carolina could be without both Tommy Tremble (illness) and Hayden Hurst (concussion) in Week 16.

Thomas (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas sat out of Sunday's win versus the Falcons due to an ankle injury, but he was able to manage a limited practice to begin the new week. He'll still likely need to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.