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' Miles Sanders: Tending to shoulder injury
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Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sanders didn't play in Friday's 31-13 preseason win against the Falcons due to a shoulder injury, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Sanders missed time early in training camp and the Cowboys' first exhibition due to a bruised knee. He improved enough to suit up last Saturday versus the Ravens en route to seven carries for 15 yards among his 11 offensive snaps. Sanders' injury combined with Jaydon Blue hurting his right ankle Friday leaves Javonte Williams as the sole healthy member of the team's top trio of running backs, and could open the door for Deuce Vaughn or rookie Phil Mafah to begin the season on the 53-man roster.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Seven carries in preseason debut
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Sanders rushed the ball seven times for 15 yards in Saturday's 31-13 preseason loss to the Ravens.
Sanders had been sidelined by a knee injury for a long stretch of training camp, so his ability to make his preseason debut was a positive. He started the game with Javonte Williams resting and appeared on two offensive possessions. The results were far from noteworthy, but there should be some clarity to come in the next few weeks regarding the running back depth chart in Dallas now that Sanders can fully participate in team activities.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Takes part in team drills
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Sanders participated in team drills Wednesday for the first time in more than a week, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.
The veteran running back returned to practice Tuesday after missing time with a knee issue, and he was a full participant Wednesday. Sanders remains behind Javonte Williams on the Cowboys' backfield depth chart, and he was being pushed by rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) earlier in camp before the 2025 fifth-round pick was sidelined last week. Given that he only signed a one-year, $1.34 million contract with the team back in March, Sanders isn't a lock to have a significant role in the offense.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Back at practice Tuesday
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Sanders (knee) is participating in practice Tuesday wearing full pads, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Sanders missed roughly two weeks of practice, plus Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams, due to a left knee bruise, but it looks like he's now back in full. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed optimism Monday that the running back would be able to suit up for exhibition action Saturday versus Baltimore. Javonte Williams remains the early favorite for Dallas' lead backfield role, but Sanders still has time to make his case for opportunities. Rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) is still not practicing Tuesday.
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Cowboys' Miles Sanders: May be available Saturday
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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 this weekend. 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, 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: 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.
