The Carolina Panthers could have a pair of pretty important pass catchers back for their pretty daunting task in the City of Brotherly Love this upcoming Sunday.
Both wide receiver Jalen Coker and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders were inactive for yesterday’s 26-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coker missed his second straight game due to a quadriceps issue while Sanders, who was carted away from the Week 12 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs, was sidelined with his neck injury.
Head coach Dave Canales was asked if he expects the rookies to return to the field for their Week 14 matchup against the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles.
“That’s the hope, yes,” he replied. “And so, they both have a couple of big days—today and tomorrow—to evaluate where they’re at and the hope is to get them back up this week.”
Coker currently ranks fifth on the team in receiving yards (263). Sanders, meanwhile, ranks third and leads all Carolina tight ends in the category (302).
Veteran tight end Stephen Sullivan was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday to provide depth in the absence of Sanders. Sullivan, however, exited the game with what Canales described as a “pretty significant knee injury.”