Ian Thomas, Tight End

After losing Greg Olsen to a season-ending injury for the second year in a row, the Panthers were looking for rookie tight end Ian Thomas to step up. He certainly did on Sunday, recording career highs in receptions (9), targets (11) and receiving yards (77).

Thomas entered Week 14 with just 16 catches for 133 yards, so his performance was fairly surprising. But it was a welcome sight for a team that hasn’t gotten much out of No. 1 wide receiver Devin Funchess in recent weeks.

Thomas provided the Panthers with the big target they have been looking for during Funchess’ second-half slide. Over the first eight games, the 24-year-old wideout had 36 receptions for 445 yards and three touchdowns. But he has just six catches for 81 yards and a score in his last three games.

It was just one game, but if Thomas can keep it up over the next three weeks as well, the Panthers will enter the 2019 season with increased optimism about his future.

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