Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders rushed for 15 yards on seven attempts during Saturday's preseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens. He was not targeted in the passing game. The veteran earned snaps in both the first and second quarters, but he was largely inefficient. Only two of his rushes went for more than three yards, and he averaged just 2.1 yards per carry. This is a concerning sign as the Cowboys continue to evaluate their running back room prior to officially naming a starter. Sanders is competing with veteran Javonte Williams, the early favorite for the lead-back role after not playing Saturday, and rookie Jaydon Blue (heel), who is dealing with an injury. Sanders is nothing more than a late-round dart throw who can be dropped if he doesn't produce in Week 1.
Aug 16, 2025 11:07 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders (knee) was back at Tuesday's training camp practice in full pads, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Meanwhile, rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) remained out. Sanders returns to the gridiron after missing around two weeks due to a left-knee bruise, including Dallas' preseason opener on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. The 28-year-old veteran will now continue to split first-team work in the backfield with Javonte Williams now that he's over his knee issue. Because Sanders is back so early in the week, he figures to suit up for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Sanders will have a role in Dallas' backfield, but this could be a full-on committee between Williams, Sanders and Blue by the time the regular season roles around, limiting Sanders' already weak fantasy value after a couple disappointing seasons in Carolina.
Aug 12, 2025 3:31 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Callahan said that running backs Jaydon Blue (heel) and Miles Sanders (knee) should see some "significant progress" this week and could play in the team's second preseason game this Saturday versus the Baltimore Ravens. Neither Blue nor Sanders played in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. Blue suffered a bone bruise in his heel in practice last Thursday, while Sanders has been battling a knee injury. Javonte Williams remains the favorite to be the lead back for Dallas early in the 2025 season, but both Sanders and Blue should be involved to an extent as well. Blue, a fifth-rounder in April, has been the most explosive and impressive during training camp, but the 21-year-old will most likely enter the regular season as the team's RB3. Blue is worth an RB4/flex flier late in PPR drafts.
Aug 11, 2025 4:31 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that running back Miles Sanders (knee) could miss a couple of days with a left knee bruise, but that the team does not have a lot of concern about the injury. Sanders has been out of action since Thursday, and it appears as though he'll miss the early part of the upcoming week as well. The veteran running back signed with Dallas in March after spending the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. In 11 games (two starts) for Carolina in 2024, Sanders recorded 353 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 79 total touches. He's competing with fellow free-agent signee Javonte Williams and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue for playing time in the Cowboys' backfield. While there's an opportunity for him to earn a role in Dallas, Sanders probably offers the lowest upside of the three backs and is unlikely to win the job outright.
Aug 2, 2025 3:25 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders (knee) did not practice on Thursday at training camp due to a slight bruise to his left knee, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Sanders was seen wearing a compression sleeve on his knee on Thursday. It shouldn't be an injury that keeps the 28-year-old out for long, but it's notable as he competes for a role in Dallas' backfield this year alongside Javonte Williams and rookie Jaydon Blue. For what it's worth, Sanders has been a standout early in camp, but Blue has been even more impressive. Sanders has the ability to succeed as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher, but he tanked in his two seasons with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and 2024 and will have lots of competition for backfield touches in his first year with Dallas. Of the three RBs in Dallas, Sanders might be the least appealing from a fantasy perspective.
Jul 31, 2025 5:17 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders "has consistently stood out the most" in both the running and passing game in training camp, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. After back-to-back subpar seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the Cowboys took a low-risk flier on Sanders in free agency, adding him on a one-year deal. The team also signed former Denver Bronco Javonte Williams to a one-year contract and used a fifth-round pick on Jaydon Blue. Sanders looks like the leading candidate to receive the most carries, though, and he's only a couple of years removed from a 1,200-yard, 11-touchdown showing in 2022 with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Jul 29, 2025 8:58 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders reportedly looked good while playing with the first-team during Thursday's practice. According to Calvin Watkins, Sanders is running smoother than Javonte Williams in practice. It's early in camp, but it seems like Sanders is the favorite to be the lead back in Dallas. The 28-year-old hasn't done much on the field over the last two seasons. However, Sanders rushed for 1,269 yards with 11 touchdowns during his last season as the full-time starter in Philadelphia during the 2022 season. Sanders wasn't productive in Carolina, but maybe a move to Dallas will help spark him. The expectation is that Williams and rookie Jaydon Blue should also be in the mix in the backfield. This could end up being a three-back committee, but too early to tell right now.
Jul 25, 2025 8:33 AM EST
Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders split first-team work during mandatory minicamp with backfield mate Javonte Williams. Dallas is projected to have one of the worst RB rooms in the league this season, headlined by Sanders, Williams, and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue. Blue has apparently taken to the NFL quickly, but one of the veterans projects to begin the season as Dallas' lead back. It seems more likely that this backfield is destined for a running-back-by-committee approach, which would obviously dent the value of all three participants. For now, expect a primary split between the two vets, with Sanders handling passing situations and the Cowboys turning to Williams more often than not for short-yardage work.
Jul 4, 2025 3:44 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders got some more work with the first-team offense on Wednesday at mandatory minicamp, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris. So far at minicamp, it's been Sanders and Javonte Williams getting the work with the starting offense. In addition to adding Sanders and Williams in free agency this offseason, the Cowboys took Jaydon Blue (fifth round) and Phil Mafah (seventh round) in this year's NFL draft. A committee situation will most likely develop in 2025 among Sanders, Williams and Blue, making Dallas' backfield pretty ugly for fantasy purposes. Sanders had his first 1,000-yard season in his final season in Philly in 2022 before falling off a cliff with 637 rushing yards, three TDs and 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 and 2024. He's unlikely to see the volume needed for a bounce-back and is ranked as the No. 74 RB at RotoBaller entering 2025.
Jun 11, 2025 9:34 PM EST
Free-agent running back Miles Sanders plans to sign an undisclosed one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Sanders heads to Dallas for the 2025 season after a disappointing two-year run with the Carolina Panthers in which he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry on 184 rushing attempts for 637 yards and three rushing touchdowns in 27 games (seven starts), adding 51 receptions (71 targets) for another 302 yards and a TD through the air. The 27-year-old lost the lead-back role to Chuba Hubbard in 2023 and played in just 11 games (two starts) in 2024 due to injury. Sanders could have a shot to see a bigger workload for the Cowboys after last year's lead back, Rico Dowdle, joined the Panthers in free agency. However, Dallas also brought in former Broncos RB Javonte Williams and could add to the position in what is a deep draft class. At best, Sanders will likely be involved in a committee.
Mar 14, 2025 12:27 AM EST
The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that they have released running back Miles Sanders. This move does not come as a surprise as Sanders' tenure in Carolina was marred by injuries and poor performance. The 27-year-old lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard in 2023 and averaged only 3.5 yards per carry on 184 rushing attempts for 637 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games (seven starts) in his two seasons with the Panthers, adding 51 receptions (71 targets) for 302 yards and a TD through the air. It was a no-brainer move for Carolina, even though second-year RB Jonathon Brooks (knee) tore his ACL again in 2024 and may miss all of the 2025 season. Sanders played in only 11 games (two starts) last year due to injury and had 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 55 carries. He's still young but will probably only land in a change-of-pace role on the open market.
Mar 11, 2025 12:41 PM EST
Running back Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023 season, but his biggest supporters, head coach Frank Reich and assistant coach Duce Staley, were fired 11 games into that season. Sanders then took on a backup role behind Chuba Hubbard. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the Panthers will create $5.23 million in salary cap space this year by cutting Sanders. Jonathon Brooks is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after a second ACL surgery, but Carolina should be able to find cheaper RB options than Sanders to serve in a backup role to Hubbard. The 27-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in his final season with the Eagles in 2022, but he was not the same back in Carolina, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry while racking up 637 rushing yards and only three touchdowns on 184 rushing attempts in 27 games (seven starts).
Feb 20, 2025 10:48 AM EST
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders rushed for 66 yards on 17 carries during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. He also caught three of his four targets for 50 yards through the air. Additionally, Sanders scored two touchdowns one on the ground and one through the air. The veteran running back delivered a major outing in his first game back from injured reserve, turning in his best fantasy performance (PPR) since Week 14 of the 2022 season. He remains under contract with the Panthers in 2025, making him an appealing fantasy handcuff behind Chuba Hubbard to open next season.
Jan 5, 2025 6:54 PM EST
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear earned lead running back duties in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) landing on the injured reserve. Blackshear finished with four carries for 47 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers activated Miles Sanders (ankle) off the injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game, and Blackshear took a clear backseat to Sanders in this one. In this matchup, he was out-touched by Sanders 17 to four. Although he only had four carries, he turned that into 47 total yards to provide some value for fantasy managers. Blackshear finishes the 2024 season with 15 carries for 80 yards. He will not be a recommended fantasy option for managers in 2025.
Jan 5, 2025 5:45 PM EST
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday. The 27-year-old will lead Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on injured reserve. Sanders, who totaled 237 yards and one touchdown through 10 games earlier this season, will take over the backfield from Raheem Blackshear. He ranks as a mid-to-low RB3 in fantasy football against the Falcons.
Jan 5, 2025 11:46 AM EST
According to the team, the Carolina Panthers have activated running back Miles Sanders (ankle) off the injured reserve. While Sanders still carries a questionable tag, this transaction suggests he should be in line to return to action in the season finale. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a sprained ankle during their Week 10 contest against the New York Giants. If Sanders is able to return on Sunday afternoon, fantasy managers should expect him to take the lead role in the backfield. As a result, Rasheem Blackshear and Mike Boone will be used as change-of-pace options and may not be given enough opportunities to have productive fantasy outputs. As a result, fantasy managers should fade this backfield if possible as Sanders carries low-end flex upside in a crowded backfield.
Jan 4, 2025 2:08 PM EST
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice but is still considered questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Sanders also practiced in full on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday. The Panthers opened the 27-year-old's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but they'll have to officially activate him from IR on Saturday if they want to let him play in the final game of the season on Sunday. Despite having not played since Week 10, Sanders could be the favorite to lead Carolina's backfield this weekend in Atlanta if he's activated since Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) is on IR. However, if Sanders does return, we wouldn't recommend relying on him for fantasy purposes with Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone also likely being involved for Carolina.
Jan 3, 2025 7:25 PM EST
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, according to team reporter Mike Kaye. The 27-year-old was recently designated to return from the Injured Reserve list, where he has been since the Week 11 bye. With Chuba Hubbard (knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on Injured Reserve, Sanders could make a fantasy and DFS impact if he returns for the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. However, he could ultimately share the backfield with Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone. Either way, none of the Panthers' backs have a ton of upside against a Falcons defense that has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs.
Jan 2, 2025 2:41 PM EST
The Carolina Panthers announced on Wednesday that they opened the 21-day practice window for running back Miles Sanders (ankle) to return from Injured Reserve, meaning he can be activated to the 53-man active roster ahead of the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. With Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) going on season-ending IR last week, the Panthers could get Sanders back this weekend for additional RB depth alongside Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones Jr. The 27-year-old Sanders isn't guaranteed to be active to close out the season, though, and he'll need to show enough in practice this week to get the green light. And even if Sanders is active against Atlanta, there's no guarantee he'll see enough snaps after being sidelined since Nov. 10. Sanders has averaged only 3.7 yards per carry on his 38 rushing attempts in 2024 in his second year in Carolina.
Jan 1, 2025 12:12 PM EST
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) was cleared to play last week, and head coach Dave Canales said he's looking forward to getting Sanders onto the practice field this week. Sanders is not being ruled out from playing in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 27-year-old is still on Injured Reserve, so if he is going to return to play in the last game of the year, Carolina will need to officially activate him by Saturday. Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) are both done for the year, but even if Sanders is able to play on Sunday, he'd likely be sharing backfield touches with both Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone and wouldn't be a viable fantasy option. Sanders hasn't played since Week 10 and was averaging a mere 3.7 yards per carry in a limited role before hurting his ankle.
Dec 30, 2024 6:25 PM EST
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