Panthers TE Mitchell Evans carted off during training camp with ankle injury

Carolina Panthers second-year tight end Mitchell Evans was carted off the field on Tuesday during training camp practice after sustaining an ankle injury. The injury occurred midway through practice when Evans went down amid a pile of players after being rolled up on.

Coach Dave Canales indicated the initial medical assessment is not alarming. "They are pretty optimistic," Canales said of the medical staff's view, but added the team would "do a full evaluation just to make sure there's nothing happening in there." The injury sidelined Evans from the remainder of practice but did not result in an immediate serious designation.

Evans, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, emerged as a productive contributor last season despite being thrust into early action. He recorded 19 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie when Ja'Tavion Sanders dealt with an injury. Evans is competing this offseason with Tremble and Sanders for expanded playing time in what the Panthers view as an open tight end competition during training camp.

The injury comes as the Panthers continue managing multiple roster complications during camp. Last week, outside linebacker Nic Scourton, another second-year player, suffered a torn ACL on the first day of training camp. Guard Damien Lewis is working with trainers on a calf injury. Starting offensive tackles Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu are not at camp and are expected to miss the season opener, though both are projected to return at some point during the season. Guard Robert Hunt, sidelined with a back injury, is working his way back and expected to practice soon.