Nobody puts Boobie in a corner.
After missing the previous six games with an ankle sprain, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders returned to the field for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. And the wait might’ve been worth it for the sixth-year rusher, who amassed 116 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the 44-38 victory.
The first of those two scores came in the second quarter, when he reeled in a 33-yard pass from quarterback Bryce Young to give his team a 17-10. Then, on the second, he gave his team the win—punching in a 1-yard run in overtime to triumphantly cap the campaign off.
Sanders, who struggled throughout what he described as a “tough” first two years in Carolina, was asked what kind of statement he believes he made with his clutch Week 18 performance.
“That I love this game,” he replied. “I come to work every day. Put my hard hat on, I practice hard. I’m in meetings, active. Great teammate—I don’t think anyone in this locker room could say anything bad about me.”
He also had some thoughts on his importance on the field . . .
#Panthers RB Miles Sanders said he’d like to return but that’s not his decision.
He said he showed he shouldn’t be on the sideline.
He was asked about a tough year, he corrects and says “tough two years.”
More from Sanders: pic.twitter.com/6UtjI4ZvQw
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) January 5, 2025
The Panthers, in hopes of nailing down their bell cow back, signed Sanders to a four-year, $25.4 million deal in March of 2023. But those hopes were quickly dashed, as the former Philadelphia Eagle took a backseat to Chuba Hubbard in the middle of that first campaign.
Sanders’ outcome grew even bleaker after the Panthers selected Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. So between that selection and Hubbard’s emergence, Sanders didn’t seem long for Carolina.
Brooks, however, since tore his ACL for the second time—leaving his 2025 season in doubt. That could open the door back up for Sanders, who still has two years left on his contract.
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