Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble recently underwent back surgery, and head coach Dave Canales said it could be a while until the longtime veteran returns from his injury. A third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Notre Dame product is no superstar but has become a servicable depth option in the offense. Last year, Tremble recorded 23 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets while finishing the season with a 54.4 PFF grade, the 57th-best mark out of 74 eligible tight ends.
During a recent media appearance, head coach Dave Canales said that the team do not expect Tommy Tremble to return from his injury by training camp, but he should return to the field sometime in the preseason.
Dave Canales: Tommy Tremble Sidelined With Back Injury, Will Miss Training Camp
The Tommy Tremble injury hurts Carolina’s already weak tight end depth chart. With the veteran sidelined, 2024 fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders becomes the only notable tight end remaining on the depth chart. Widely projected to be a second or third-round pick in the buildup to the 2024 NFL Draft, the Texas product had a solid debut season. Appearing in 16 games while making eight starts, the rookie finished his inaugural campaign with 33 receptions for 342 yards, one touchdown, and a 52.5 PFF grade, the 63rd-best mark out of 74 eligible players.
Tight end is notoriously one of the most difficult positions to learn at the NFL level, so the fact that Sanders showed anything as a rookie is encouraging. However, he’ll need to make a real Year 2 leap to become anything more than the third or fourth option in this passing attack. Even if he can establish himself as a weapon, his work as a blocker leaves a lot to be desired.
Tommy Tremble is no superstar, but the veteran should provide some stability to the depth chart when he returns from his injury. Hopefully, Canales is correct and he can return to the field in the preseason and be up to full speed by Week 1.
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