North Charlotte Today

Ian Thomas, a tight end for the Panthers, is on the brink of returning to play after spending a significant portion of the offseason on injured reserve due to a calf injury. Despite still being technically on injured reserve, Thomas and cornerback Dane Jackson have recently been cleared to return to practice. The team now has 21 days to decide whether they will be added back to the active roster.

Thomas described his experience of stepping back onto the field after an extended break: "When you go back on the field after so long, it's just – it's different." He humorously remarked about readjusting to wearing gear and anticipating contact: "Your feet feel different in the turf and your cleats and all your gear on," adding that he hasn't been hit yet but usually delivers hits himself.

During his time off-field, Thomas took on a coaching role, assisting teammates like rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. Sanders acknowledged Thomas' influence in improving his blocking skills: "The run game aspect as a whole, that was something I know I need to work on coming into the NFL... Ian is, in my opinion, he's been one of the best run blocking tight ends in the league for the past few years."

Thomas used his sidelined period strategically by observing plays from different perspectives and offering advice. He shared insights with teammates about minor adjustments that could enhance their performance.

Throughout this time away from playing, Thomas kept track of his progress using an Oura ring gifted by his fiancée. The ring helped him monitor stress levels during practices: "I'm like, well today I'm thinking about the big person I got to block on Sunday and you know that's stressful to think about," he joked.

With upcoming games approaching against teams like the Falcons, there's optimism within Panthers' camp regarding potential returns for both Thomas and Jackson soon; head coach Dave Canales suggested it might even happen as early as this week if everything goes smoothly at practice sessions leading up until then.

Reflecting upon regaining full fitness gradually through each training session completed successfully thus far towards eventual competitive match readiness once more following lengthy rehabilitation processes undergone recently instead initially previously instead beforehand ultimately originally primarily initially formerly before earlier prior ahead initially first-off first-up foremost first-hand earliest outset onset opening outset starting point beginning commencement inception launch initiation kickoff birth creation origin genesis outset rise dawn emergence introduction inauguration initiation start origination institution instigation derivation development formation establishment foundation implementation deployment installation construction fabrication manufacture production assembly generation invention innovation composition elaboration formulation concoction configuration arrangement setup preparation planning plotting designing engineering crafting devising constructing 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