Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He suffered a scary upper-body injury during the first half that required him to be carted to the locker room on a stabilizing backboard. Unsurprisingly, the Panthers determined that Sanders would not be able to return. They are taking him to the hospital for further evaluation, and we'll likely get some sort of update on his status postgame. Sanders finished Week 12 with three catches for 49 yards. Assuming he's unable to play in Week 13, Tommy Tremble will step up as the Panthers' primary tight end.

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (head/neck) was trying to make the extra effort to get a first down and was hit into a somersault before landing on top of his head. Unfortunately, the rookie had to be put on a backboard and carted off the field after that play in the second quarter. He's unlikely to return even though there hasn't been an official report from the team yet. He'll probably undergo further testing on Sunday night and Monday to determine the severity of the issue. Tommy Tremble will take over at tight end in the meantime.

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12 after he missed practice on Friday with a quad injury. The good news for the Panthers is that they'll be getting veteran receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) back for the first time since Week 3. The 23-year-old Coker has seen his role grow in Carolina's offense since the team traded Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, but the volume still hasn't been enough to make him a realistic flex option in 12-team fantasy leagues. He did play 90 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 10 win over the New York Giants in Germany and received a season-high eight targets, but it led to only three catches for 41 yards. With Coker out on Sunday against KC, expect David Moore to serve as Carolina's No. 3 behind Thielen and rookie Xavier Legette.

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro (knee) is active on Sunday for the Week 12 contest against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Pineiro apparently injured his left knee while celebrating after making the game-winning kick in Germany in the overtime victory over the New York Giants, but he had last week's bye to rest up and is good to go this weekend. The 29-year-old should be avoided for fantasy purposes, though, in Carolina's inconsistent offense as they take on an underrated Chiefs defense. Pineiro has only attempted 13 field goals (successful on 12) on the year and has made all 17 of his extra-point opportunities. The Chiefs defense has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to the kicking position this year, and Pineiro just hasn't had enough volume in the kicking game to warrant fantasy attention.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is officially active on Sunday to make his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. The second-round pick out of Texas is finally fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered last year in college and will now serve as the No. 2 behind starter Chuba Hubbard. While the 21-year-old won't be on a snap count in his first game in the NFL, he should be the clear backup on Sunday and moving forward, making him hard to trust for starting purposes in fantasy. The good news is his role should grow on a weekly basis, and Miles Sanders (ankle) is now on Injured Reserve, which means he'll miss at least the next four games. By season's end, it's possible Brooks could be on the RB3/flex radar in the right matchup.