Ja’Tavion Sanders, a rookie tight end for Carolina, was released from Carolinas Medical Center following a neck injury sustained during Sunday’s 30-27 Panthers loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dave Canales, the head coach of the Panthers, merely stated that Sanders was released from the hospital following a medical evaluation. He did not offer any other details on his condition.

All of Sanders’ extremities were fully functional, according to team officials.

Near the conclusion of the first half, Sanders, who has shown a lot of potential on the Panthers offense, caught a 10-yard ball close to the sideline before Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie tackled him. His teammates gathered around him as he lay on the ground for several minutes after being flipped in the air and landing on the back of his head.

After being put on a backboard, Sanders was led to the changing area.

Sanders seemed to lift his arms as he walked off the field, a trainer’s hand resting on top of them.

Sanders has three catches for 49 yards prior to the injury.

There are no mysteries when the Bucs travel to see Dave Canales and the Panthers in the NFC South.

Longtime NFC South rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have obvious ties.

The teams meet on Sunday in Charlotte and have recently demonstrated that they are able to play with any team.

“It’s an NFC South battle,” Todd Bowles, the coach of the Bucs, stated. “They’re all going to be difficult; none of them will be simple. They’re playing football quite well. They are playing excellent football, however they have missed a few games here and there. It will be a difficult battle.

With first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales joining Carolina from his position as Buccaneers offensive coordinator last season, there won’t be much need for introductions on Sunday. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, a valued student of Canales’s from the previous season, spent a portion of the 2022 season with the Panthers.

Canales remarked, “There’s some familiarity,” regarding his relationship with the Buccaneers. “Coach Bowles has a very advanced system, and he uses a particular game plan to attack every squad. Certain principles are universal. I am aware that he will have some surprises planned.

After losing to the Atlanta Falcons on October 27, the Buccaneers (5-6) are playing a division opponent for the first time. The objective will be to win consecutive games for the first time since the season’s opening two weeks.

Last Sunday’s 30-7 thumping of the New York Giants had four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, finding the end zone on the ground. Mayfield also finished with 294 yards on 24 of 30 passes.

In reference to his team’s strong performance last weekend, Bowles stated, “For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling.” “We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it.”

Wideout star After missing three games due to a hamstring injury, Mike Evans returned to action for Tampa Bay. He now has a chance against a Carolina squad that has allowed a league-high 30.9 points per game this season after finishing with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants.

The Panthers have, however, tightened up their performance recently, winning two straight games before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, the two-time reigning champions, 30-27 on Sunday.

Perhaps the most effective game in Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s two-year tenure was the one against Kansas City. Without throwing a pick, Young completed 21 of 35 throws for 263 yards and one touchdown.

Canales stated, “It’s not all Bryce, it’s the whole unit,” “It’s a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that.”

Carolina missed Wednesday’s practice due to injuries to wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck), and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal). LaBryan Ray, a defensive end, was one of those limited because of a hand injury.

Security Jordan Whitehead missed practice on Wednesday along with four other Buccaneers due to pectoral injuries. Evans thoroughly rehearsed.

Since Carolina and Tampa Bay will face one another again in Week 17, they might as well get to know one another.