Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders left Week 10’s win early with an injury, but early reports indicate it’s not as bad as initially feared. A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sanders began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing a four-year, $25 million deal with Carolina before the 2023 season. That move didn’t work out, as Sanders struggled early in the season before eventually ceding starting work to former fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard.
Hubbard maintained the starting role in 2024 and ultimately landed a massive extension of his own, but Sanders has remained the primary RB2 throughout the season. Appearing in 10 games while making one start, the Penn State product has recorded 139 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries while adding 21 receptions for 98 yards in the passing game. While his injury looked ugly at the time, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes that Miles Sanders is considered “day-to-day” and did not suffer a major injury.
#Panthers RB Miles Sanders, who was carted off with a foot/ankle injury in Germany, is considered day-to-day after extensive tests and a visit with an expert, sources say.
They want the swelling to go down, and he could miss a little time. But as of now, not considered major. pic.twitter.com/YDuPNxzBgJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 13, 2024
Miles Sanders Injury Update: Day-to-Day With Foot/Ankle
With Miles Sanders sidelined for most of Week 10, the Panthers ran their offense through running back Chuba Hubbard. Fresh off his pay raise, the former fourth-round pick finished the game with 28 carries for 153 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and one touchdown while hauling in four passes for 16 yards. While Bryce Young played a safe, mistake-free game, Carolina’s rushing attack was the primary catalyst for the upset victory over the New York Giants. Aside from Sanders’ two carries, Hubbard was the only running back to touch the ball during the win.
Rapoport mentions the running back could miss “a little time” as the team waits for the swelling to go down. While it’s impossible to know exactly how long this will take, the Miles Sanders injury came at a relatively convenient time. The Panthers are entering their bye week, which gives the big-money running back two weeks to get back to health and return to the field. The one unspoken side effect of Sanders’ recovery time is how it impacts second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks.
Will Jonathon Brooks See the Field?
Carolina selected Jonathon Brooks knowing they’d have to wait to see him in action. The Texas product was the best draft-eligible running back in college football last year but suffered a season-ending ACL injury late in the season. This ailment prevented him from performing at the NFL Combine, but the Panthers believed his film was good enough to justify an early selection. At the time, reports across the league indicated that Brooks would only miss the first four of five weeks of the regular season.
Fast-forward to Week 11 and we’re still waiting to see the rookie in action. While he technically suited up against the Giants, the running back didn’t see the field despite the Miles Sanders injury. Head coach Dave Canales said that “it wasn’t time” for Brooks to play, implying that he’s still not healthy enough to handle NFL touches. This is a worrisome development and one that suggests he might not see the field too often in 2024. Maybe he gets some work as the season progresses, but right now 2024 looks like a glorified redshirt season for the veteran, meaning 2025 will be his de-facto rookie season.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
