TE Ja'Tavion Sanders' time with Panthers could be running out

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja Tavion Sanders may be facing uncertainty regarding his future with the team. Sanders, who entered his third NFL season as a fourth-round draft pick, has struggled to consistently produce as a receiver. In 29 career games, he amassed only 62 catches for 532 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, Sanders recorded a meager 190 receiving yards, averaging just 6.6 yards per catch.

His longest reception measured just 18 yards. At only 23 years old, Sanders could find himself on the receiving end of a cutdown day decision next Sunday. The Panthers, seeking star power in the tight end room, signed veteran Darren Waller on August 17. Waller is projected to assume the TE1 role from Tommy Tremble at the outset of the regular season.

It remains to be seen if Waller will see action during the preseason finale against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium. Junior Mitchell Evans continues to develop as a dependable blocker, receiver, and special teams contributor under Tremble's leadership. The only current tight end with franchise experience, Greg Olson, remains the only Panther to accumulate over 500 receiving yards in a single season.

General manager Dan Morgan, making his first draft as a general manager, acquired Sanders in an attempt to generate matchup challenges for opposing defenses. Despite his size and athleticism, Sanders has yet to capitalize on these advantages. Sanders' rookie year saw only six catches of at least 20 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown.

Last season, he failed to register any such catches. The question remains: is Sanders' time with the Panthers drawing to a close?