Panthers Sit Brady Christensen Against Broncos
Carolina activated tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders for the first time this season while keeping offensive lineman Brady Christensen inactive.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
The Carolina Panthers did not activate offensive lineman Brady Christensen for their Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos, despite his designation to return to practice on Tuesday. Carolina instead activated tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders for the first time in 2026.
Why it matters
Christensen has missed the first seven games of the season with a hamstring injury, so his continued absence leaves the Panthers' offensive line depth in focus. Sanders' activation signals an expanded role at tight end for Charlotte readers following the team's progress this season.
The inactive list is an official team filing, showing Christensen has missed seven games this season while Damien Lewis, the starting left guard, is out with a knee injury. The team has not said when Christensen will return.
The players
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are an NFL franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that compete in the NFC South division.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are an NFL franchise based in Denver, Colorado, that compete in the AFC West division.
Brady Christensen
Brady Christensen is an offensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers who has been sidelined this season by a hamstring injury.
The details
Carolina did not activate Christensen even though he was designated to return to practice on Tuesday, and it instead elevated Ja'Tavion Sanders, a 2024 fourth-round pick, for the first time this season. Damien Lewis was ruled out Friday with a knee injury.
Timeline
Friday: Damien Lewis ruled out with a knee injury.
Tuesday: Brady Christensen designated to return to practice.
November 8, 2026: Panthers face the Denver Broncos in Week 9.
Tuesday, following week: NFL trade deadline.
Season Trajectory
With the NFL trade deadline falling the following Tuesday, Sanders' first activation of 2026 may serve as a showcase ahead of potential roster moves. The Panthers' decision to keep Christensen out while he works back from a seven-game hamstring absence reflects a cautious approach to the offensive line during the stretch run.
Fantasy managers should note that Sanders is now active for the first time in 2026, giving him a path to targets in Carolina's passing game. Christensen's continued absence means the Panthers' offensive line depth remains thin heading into the trade deadline.
The takeaway
Monitoring inactive lists and designations before the trade deadline can help fans and fantasy managers anticipate roster changes. Sanders' first activation of the season may be a signal worth tracking.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline falls on Tuesday of the following week, when the Panthers' roster decisions could shift.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Football coverage of Charlotte's NFL franchise.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Panthers Wire.
