Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders exited early from Week 10’s victory due to an injury, but initial reports suggest it’s less severe than initially thought.
Drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Sanders began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing a four-year, $25 million contract with Carolina before the 2023 season. However, Sanders struggled early, eventually losing the starting job to Chuba Hubbard, a former fourth-round pick.
Hubbard retained the starting role in 2024 and went on to secure a substantial extension, while Sanders has remained the primary backup throughout the season.
In 10 games with one start, the Penn State alum has accumulated 139 rushing yards and one touchdown on 38 carries, along with 21 catches for 98 yards. Although his injury initially appeared serious, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Sanders is considered “day-to-day” and did not sustain a major injury.
Miles Sanders Injury Update: Day-to-Day With Foot/Ankle
With Miles Sanders sidelined for most of Week 10, the Panthers shifted their offense to focus on running back Chuba Hubbard. Recently given a pay raise, the former fourth-round pick delivered a strong performance with 28 carries, gaining 153 yards (averaging 5.5 yards per carry) and scoring one touchdown. He also caught four passes for 16 yards. While Bryce Young played a conservative, mistake-free game, Carolina’s ground attack spearheaded the upset win over the New York Giants. Aside from Sanders’ two carries, Hubbard was the only running back to touch the ball in the victory.
Rapoport reports that Sanders could miss “a little time” as the team monitors his recovery and waits for the swelling to subside. While it’s unclear exactly how long he’ll be out, the timing is somewhat favorable, as the Panthers are headed into their bye week. This gives Sanders, who signed a significant contract, two weeks to recuperate. Sanders’ absence may also affect the role of rookie second-round pick Jonathon Brooks going forward.
Will Jonathon Brooks See the Field?
The Carolina Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks with the understanding they’d need patience before seeing him in action. The Texas standout was the top draft-eligible running back in college football last year, but a late-season ACL tear sidelined him, preventing him from showcasing his skills at the NFL Combine. Despite this, the Panthers felt his college performance warranted an early pick. Initial league reports suggested Brooks would miss just the first four to five games of the season.
Now in Week 11, he still hasn’t played. Although Brooks was technically active against the Giants, he remained on the sidelines even with Miles Sanders out due to injury. Head coach Dave Canales explained that “it wasn’t time” for Brooks to play, hinting he’s not yet ready to take on NFL reps.
This raises concerns about his availability for the remainder of 2024. While he might see limited action later on, it’s increasingly likely that this season serves as a developmental year for him, effectively setting up 2025 as his true rookie year.
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