As of August 27, three Carolina Panthers players are reportedly on the roster cut line, facing potential removal from the team. The players include wide receiver John Metchie III, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, and offensive lineman Chandler Zavala.
John Metchie III, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in August 2025 and then to the New York Jets in October 2025 before joining the Panthers, has faced significant health challenges throughout his career. These include an enlarged heart in high school, an ACL tear in December 2021, and a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia during his rookie training camp. Despite these setbacks, Metchie III led the team in week two of the 2026 preseason, catching six of seven targets for 77 yards. He is described as a refined route runner with good short-area quickness, offering potential as a target in short-middle areas of the field. He is considered to have more upside than competitors Brycen Tremayne and Casey Washington.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, a fourth-round draft pick in 2024, was initially seen as a strong addition to the Panthers’ tight end room, which at the time included Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas. In his rookie season, Sanders surpassed Tremble with 342 yards and 43 targets compared to Tremble’s 234 yards and 29 targets. However, in 2025, his offensive snaps decreased, with rookie fifth-rounder Mitchell Evans playing an equal amount of snaps (393). Sanders was relegated to a check-and-release role, and in December 2025, he broke his fibula. He has been competing with Felipe Franks for the TE3 spot, but Franks offers special teams upside. The Panthers have also brought in veteran Darren Waller, potentially as a direct replacement for Sanders. The Green Bay Packers reportedly expressed trade interest in Sanders, but no firm deal materialized.
Chandler Zavala, drafted in 2023, has struggled with pass-blocking. In his rookie year, he allowed 33 pressures and six sacks in 249 pass-blocking reps, earning a 7.1 PFF Grade. While he showed improvement in 2025 with a 32.0 grade, his performance against NFL starters remains a concern. He recorded an 83.0 pass-blocking grade in the Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals practice squad but struggled against the Buffalo Bills in preseason. His continued presence on the roster could be questioned if his performance does not improve.
