Sanders signed with the Cowboys this offseason, and he will be part of a committee in Dallas with Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. It would be a surprise if Sanders was the leading rusher given his performance the past two seasons in Carolina when he averaged seven PPR points per game in 2024 and 5.5 PPR points in 2023. But this is a fresh start for Sanders, and he doesn't have overwhelming competition. Keep an eye on what happens in training camp, and Sanders could be a surprise Fantasy option during the season. He's not worth drafting in the majority of leagues unless he comes out of training camp as the No. 1 running back in Dallas. And he could be a waiver-wire addition during the year if he takes over for the Cowboys as the best option in the backfield at any point.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that he expects Sanders (knee) and fellow running back Jaydon Blue (heel) to see "significant progress" in their recoveries this week, and that both could play Saturday versus the Ravens, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Sanders and Blue were both forced to sit out Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams, but the Cowboys' backfield could be in a healthier spot to face Baltimore on Saturday. Jon Machota of The Athletic reports that Javonte Williams remains in the early lead for the Cowboys' lead running back job, but that nobody has yet emerged as a true favorite for the No. 1 backfield role. If Sanders is able to get healthy in time to put some good preseason reps on tape versus the Ravens, it will assist his chances of carving out a notable role.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Nursing knee bruise
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Sanders (knee) is not practicing Thursday due to what has been labeled a slight knee bruise, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Sanders' injury is to his left knee, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports, and he's wearing a compression sleeve on that leg Thursday. There are no indications that Sanders is dealing with a significant injury, but the Cowboys figure to take a cautious approach to the 28-year-old's recovery. Jon Machota of The Athletic reports that Sanders has been an early standout at training camp, both as a runner and in the receiving game. He's competing for backfield opportunities with Javonte Williams and rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Looking good early in camp
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Sanders has stood out the most so far in training camp among the Cowboys' running backs, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
The former Eagle and Panther is competing with fellow free-agent signee Javonte Williams as well as rookie Jaydon Blue for snaps and touches in what could be a backfield committee for the Cowboys. Sanders has flashed both as a runner and as a pass catcher early in camp, but there likely won't be any clarity on how new head coach Brian Schottenheimer will deploy his running backs until deep into the preseason, assuming the picture clears up at all before Week 1.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Taking first-team reps
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Sanders and Javonte Williams have been getting most of the first-team reps at June minicamp, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Given the alternatives, it's no surprise to see the two free-agent additions handling first-team work, even though both of them averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons. The Cowboys' other running backs right now are rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue, rookie seventh-round pick Phil Mafah and 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn. It's anyone's guess how the depth chart might shift before Week 1, with possibilities including a late veteran addition via trade or free agency.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Joining Dallas
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Sanders is slated to sign a one-year deal with the Cowboys, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The Panthers released Sanders on Tuesday after he had a pair of disappointing seasons with the team. He'll now join the Cowboys looking to revitalize his career, and he should have the chance to capture a decent workload as the roster is currently constructed. Javonte Williams is the only other back on the depth chart capable of carrying a traditional workload, though Sanders' fantasy potential won't become clear until after the NFL Draft in late April.
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Miles Sanders: Released by Carolina
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The Panthers released Sanders on Tuesday, Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com reports.
Sanders made it through two seasons of a four-year, $25.4 million contract, mostly backing up Chuba Hubbard during that time. The deal ended up being a disaster for Carolina, with Sanders arguably the most overpaid running back in the league. He'll turn 28 in May and seems unlikely to be handed a prominent spot in another backfield.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Productive in return to action
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Sanders rushed 17 times for 66 yards and a touchdown and brought in three of four targets for 50 yards and another score in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday. He also fumbled once, but possession remained with Carolina.
Making his return from a six-game absence, Sanders had fresh legs and an exuberant play style in the wild regular-season finale. Sanders visited the end zone as both a rusher and receiver, striking via a 33-yard scoring reception and a game-winning one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and overtime, respectively. Sanders has had a rollercoaster first two seasons in Carolina due to both performance issues and injury, but he'll presumably have a chance for a clean slate and a healthy season in 2025.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: To start in return to lineup
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Sanders (ankle) is listed as active and expected to start Sunday at Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
In his first game action since he sprained his ankle Week 10 against the Giants, Sanders is in line to sit atop the backfield, what with both Chuba Hubbard (knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on injured reserve and Velus Jones (coach's decision) inactive. Sanders will be vying with Raheem Blackshear (11 carries this season) and Mike Boone (nine) for touches Sunday. However, considering Sanders has 38 rushes and 21 receptions (on 26 targets) in 10 games on the campaign, he likely should be the top option among the trio.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Activated off IR
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Sanders (ankle) was activated off injured reserve Saturday and remains questionable for Sunday's contest against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Presumably, Sanders wouldn't be activated off injured reserve unless the team intended to play the veteran, but it's unclear if Raheem Blackshear, who got the start in replace of the injured Chuba Hubbard (knee) last week, will still get the first crack at the starting job Sunday. Sanders could be a cap causality this offseason, so from that standpoint the team theoretically should be more invested in the development of Blackshear, but this overall could be a messy backfield, with Mike Boone and Velus Jones also chipping in a few snaps as well.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Listed as questionable
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Sanders (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, Sanders was a full practice participant Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a limited session Thursday. He's the favorite to operate as Carolina's lead back this Sunday in what might end up being his final game for the team. If they don't end up activating Sanders, the Panthers likely will start Raheem Blackshear while bringing Mike Boone and Velus Jones off the bench.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Limited Thursday
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Sanders (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Carolina designated Sanders for return from injured reserve Wednesday, after which he was a full participant in his return to drills. The downgrade in work may be related to a lack of conditioning, but his status nonetheless bears watching to see if he'll be able to join a backfield that lost Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Chuba Hubbard (knee) for the season over the last month. At the moment, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones are the healthy running backs on the Panthers' active roster ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Full practice Wednesday
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Sanders (ankle), who was designated for return from injured reserve, practiced fully Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
The Panthers officially designated Sanders for return from IR on Wednesday, two days after head coach Dave Canales told David Newton of ESPN.com that the running back had a chance to return to action Week 18. Sanders has been sidelined since Week 10, and he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry on his 38 totes prior to suffering a sprained ankle. However, with Chuba Hubbard (knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on IR, Sanders would be the most accomplished back for Carolina if he's activated for Sunday's game in Atlanta. Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones are the current healthy options at the position.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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Sanders could return in Week 18 at Atlanta after missing the past six games with an ankle injury. And if he's healthy, he would likely be the No. 1 running back for the Panthers with Chuba Hubbard (calf) out, making him a flex option in deeper leagues. If Sanders can't play, then Raheem Blackshear (10 percent rostered) would start again for Carolina, but he struggled in Week 17 at Tampa Bay with eight carries for 20 yards and no targets.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Will return to practice this week
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Sanders (ankle), who remains on IR, will practice this week and could play in Sunday's Week 18 season finale against Atlanta, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales indicated Monday that Sanders was cleared to return to the field last week and said the veteran running back will practice this week. While Canales didn't state that Sanders will play Sunday against the Falcons, the head coach also didn't rule hm out. Sanders hasn't logged game action since hurting his ankle Week 10 against the Giants and landing on IR a few weeks later. If Sanders does suit up Sunday, he'd be added to a Carolina running-back room that recently lost Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee) and currently consists of Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Won't face Kansas City
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Sanders (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Sanders was carted off the field two weeks ago in Germany against the Giants. While he avoided a serious injury, Sanders is going to miss at least one contest. The Panthers are expected to have rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) available this week alongside Chuba Hubbard.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Misses another practice
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Sanders (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.
Sanders has been a spectator for both of the Panthers' first two Week 12 practices and looks to be trending toward sitting out Sunday's game against the Chiefs, just as head coach Dave Canales had intimated would be the case earlier in the week. Before Sanders is formally ruled out for the Week 12 contest, the Panthers will wait and see what, if anything, he's able to do during Friday's practice session. Sanders will likely cede the top backup role out of the backfield to rookie second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee), who has been a full participant in practices this week and should be ready to make his NFL debut Sunday as a change-of-pace option behind starter Chuba Hubbard.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Viewed as day-to-day
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Sanders is considered day-to-day after undergoing extensive tests on his foot and ankle and meeting with a specialist Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rapoport's report doesn't offer a precise diagnosis for the lower leg injury that Sanders suffered in this past Sunday's overtime win over the Giants, but the Panthers aren't expecting the running back to be in store for a long absence. Sanders will benefit from a Week 11 bye, but he'll need the swelling in his foot/ankle to go down before he's cleared to resume practicing. Even if Sanders is ready to go for the Panthers' next game Nov. 24 versus the Chiefs in Week 12, he could drop to third on the depth chart in the backfield behind Chuba Hubbard and rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee), the latter of whom is likely to be ready to make his NFL debut.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Seeing specialist
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Head coach Dave Canales said that Sanders will visit a specialist Monday for his knee/foot injury, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
Sanders played six offensive snaps and rushed twice for five yards before exiting Sunday's overtime win over the Giants with the injury. Canales also noted the team doesn't have much information on Sanders' injury at the moment, but they should know more following Monday's visit. The Panthers have a Week 11 bye, giving Sanders an extra week to recover regardless of the severity of his issue.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Exits Sunday's game
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Sanders (foot/ankle) was forced out of Sunday's game against the Giants and won't return, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Prior to being carted off the field, Sanders carried twice for five yards. In his absence, Raheem Blackshear is available to work behind lead back Chuba Hubbard.
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Panthers' Miles Sanders: Rough outing in win
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Sanders rushed twice for minus-5 yards in Sunday's 23-22 win over the Saints. He also caught both of his targets for minus-5 yards.
Sanders was highly inefficient in the Panthers' second win of the season Sunday, losing yardage on three of his four touches. He appeared to be one of Bryce Young's favorite targets after posting a team-high seven catches in Week 8's loss to the Broncos; however, he was targeted just twice in Week 9. Expect Sanders to continue seeing little offensive work in Week 10's matchup against the Giants, especially with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) potentially making his NFL debut.
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