Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13. The Chiefs kickers have caught the injury bug lately, with Harrison Butker and Spencer Shrader both sidelined. Wright will now step into the starting placekicker role for Kansas City. Wright was previously with the Chiefs in 2022 and will now get the chance to make an impact with the team again. Kansas City officially elevated Wright to their active roster ahead of their Black Friday matchup against the Raiders. Wright is ranked as the ninth-best kicker in our RotoBaller rankings this week, making him a start-worthy player. Fantasy managers looking for a fill-in at kicker can look in Wright's direction.

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and Jalen Coker (quadriceps) were both sidelined for a second consecutive practice on Thursday. We previously heard that neither Sanders nor Coker is expected to play in Week 13, so it's no surprise that both were listed as non-participants Thursday. Sanders could be looking at a multi-week absence after an awkward injury landed him in the hospital for precautionary measures last Sunday. Tommy Tremble will start at tight end in his absence. Meanwhile, Coker, who hasn't played since the other side of the Panthers' bye in Week 10, will likely be replaced in the lineup by a combination of Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and David Moore.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Spencer Shrader (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He did not practice at all this week. Shrader has gone 3-for-3 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points through two games with Kansas City. The Chiefs have activated Matthew Wright from the practice squad to handle kicking duties in Shrader's absence. Given Kansas City's scoring tendencies and favorable matchup against the Raiders, Wright instantly becomes an intriguing top-12 option in fantasy football.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Wednesday that rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) is unlikely to play in Week 13 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. It hardly comes as a surprise after Sanders suffered a scary head/neck injury last Sunday in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that required a trip to the hospital. The 21-year-old was quickly released from the hospital, though, and avoided a serious injury. He was seen at practice on Wednesday but did not participate and will most likely be inactive in Week 13. Depending on how Sanders recovers from the injury, he might not be available next week, either, to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. It's bad timing, as the rookie TE was beginning to see a bigger role as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end. Tommy Tremble will receive more opportunities this weekend against Tampa.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Wednesday that rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is unlikely to play in Week 13 on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coker also missed last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, so the 23-year-old is trending toward missing a second straight game after not practicing on Wednesday. He will now hope to get his quad right for a Week 14 game on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. With rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) also unlikely to play this weekend, it will mean that Adam Thielen, rookie Xavier Legette and David Moore will start once again in three-receiver sets. Moore easily had his best game against the Chiefs last Sunday with Coker on the sidelines, catching six of 10 targets for 81 yards and his first touchdown of 2024.