Panthers TE Mitchell Evans carted off at training camp practice
Carolina Panthers second-year tight end Mitchell Evans was carted off the field with an ankle injury during Tuesday's training camp practice after getting rolled up on in a pile. Coach Dave Canales said the medical staff is optimistic about the initial diagnosis and it is not viewed as serious, though a full evaluation is pending.
Mitchell Evans was carted off the field during Carolina's opening training camp practice on Tuesday after a contact injury in the pile. The second-year tight end suffered an ankle injury when, according to coach Dave Canales, he got rolled up on during a play midway through the session.
Canales said the initial diagnosis indicates the injury is not viewed as serious. "They [the medical staff] are pretty optimistic," Canales told reporters. "But we're going to do a full evaluation just to make sure there's nothing happening in there."
Evans was a fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame in the 2025 draft. As a rookie last season, he recorded 19 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He saw significant time after Ja'Tavion Sanders was injured, pressing into a starting role earlier than expected. This season, Evans was expected to compete with Sanders and Tommy Tremble for playing time in what the Panthers view as an open tight end competition.
The injury comes as the Panthers navigate a broader wave of camp ailments. Last week, second-year outside linebacker Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL on the first day of training camp practice, a season-ending injury. Guard Damien Lewis is working with trainers on a calf injury and has not fully practiced. Guard Robert Hunt (back) is working his way back and is expected to practice soon. The Panthers are also without starting offensive tackles Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu at camp; both will miss the opener but are expected to return at some point during the season.
The full evaluation results for Evans' ankle will determine his availability for the remainder of camp and the tight end competition.
Mitchell Evans, a second-year tight end, was carted off with an ankle injury during Panthers training camp; Coach Dave Canales said the injury is not viewed as serious pending a full evaluation.
Canales' optimism may be grounded in initial testing, but the full evaluation is the real arbiter of Evans' timeline and whether this disrupts his participation in the tight end competition. Watch the official diagnosis when it comes and whether Evans can return to practice during camp or whether the injury extends beyond the optimistic initial read.
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